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THE 


MYTHOLOGY 

OP 


ANCIENT  GREECE  AND  ITALY: 


FOH  THE  USE  OF  SCHOOLS 


BY 

THOMAS  KEIGHTLEY, 

AUTHOR  OP 

MIE  “OUTLINES  OP  HISTORY,”  IN  THE  CABINET  CYCLOPEDIA, 
&C.  &C. 


TWELFTH  AMERICAN  EDITION,  ENLARGED 
AND  IMPROVED. 


NEW  YORK : , 

D . APPLETON  AND  COMPANY, 

549  & 551  BROADWAY. 

1878. 


Entered,  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1886,  by 
D.  APPLETON  & CO., 

In  the  Clerk’s  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  United  States, 
for  the  Southern  District  of  New  York. 


THE 

MYTHOLOGY 

OF 

ANCIENT  GEEECE  AND  ITALY. 


7C2359 


PREFACE, 


There  are  things  which,  though  they  may 
not  come  under  the  head  of  Useful  Know- 
ledge, require  to  be  known. — Such  are  the 
renowned  histories  of  Whittington  and  his 
Cat,  Jack  the  Giant-killer,  Bluebeard,  Tom 
Thumb,  and  other  heroes  of  the  nursery. 
Every  one  is  supposed  to  be  familiar  with 
them,  and  they  are  frequent  subjects  of  allu- 
sion Doth  in  writing  and  in  conversation. 

The  legends  of  Grecian  Mythology  have 
at  least  this  minor  claim  to  attention.  We 
cannot  open  a Poet,  ancient  or  modern,  with- 
out meeting  them,  or  allusions  to  them;  and 
the  moment  we  enter  a picture-gallery,  we 

find  ourselves  in  the  midst  of  the  gods  and 

5 


VT 


PREFACE. 


heroes  of  Greece. — It  is  surely,  then,  not  need- 
less to  know  something  about  them. 

But  Mythology  has  higher  claims.  It  is 
closely  connected  with  History  and  Philoso- 
phy ; and  an  acquaintance  with  its  principles 
is  indispensable  to  a philosophic  historian  or 
critic,  and  useful  even  to  the  theologian. 

And  the  study  of  Mythology  is  not  with- 
out its  attractions.  As  it  is  in  the  works 
of  the  Poets  that  its  legends  have  chiefly 
been  preserved,  the  search  after  them  is  one 
of  the  most  agreeable  occupations  in  which 
we  can  engage ; and  as  very  few  of  them 
are  devoid  of  meaning,  the  tracing  out  their 
sense  and  origin  yields  adequate  employ- 
ment to  the  very  highest  powers  of  the  mind 
Surely  no  one  will  venture  to  say  that  the 
early  theology  and  history  of  such  a people 
as  the  Greeks  is  unworthy  the  attention  of 
any,  however  elevated  in  genius  and  in  in- 
tellect. To  me,  the  study  of  Mythology  is  a 


PREFACE. 


vii 

source  of  high  gratification,  and  I cheerfully 
devote  my  humble  abilities  to  its  cultivation 
and  diffusion. 

In  my  larger  work  I have  endeavoured  to 
exhibit  Mythology  in  this  its  more  dignified 
form,  and  thither  I must  refer  those  who  are 
curious  to  know  the  real  origin  and  signifi- 
cation of  its  various  legends.  The  present 
little  volume  is  purely  narrative  and  intro- 
ductory ; for  explanations,  unless  when  given 
orally,  prove  in  general  rather  irksome  to 
young  persons : — the  proofs  of  every  thing 
advanced  in  it  will  be  found  in  my  other 
work. 

One  advantage,  and  that  no  inconsiderable 
one,  I think  I may  venture  to  promise  those 
who  will  derive  their  first  mythological  ideas 
from  this  little  book — they  will  have  nothing 
to  unlearn  in  their  future  progress.  Every 
thing  is  given  on  the  best  authority. 

As  the  following  pages  are  chiefly  designed 


Vlll  PREFACE. 

for  those  who  have  not  commenced  reading 
Greek,  I have  employed  the  Latin  names  of 
the  Deities;  placing,  however  the  Greek 
names  beside  them ; and  I have  frequently 
followed  Ovid  in  preference  to  the  Greek 
Poets.  As  a further  aid,  I have  given  the 
translation  of  such  names  as  are  significant  ? 
but  when  the  meaning  is  only  conjectural,  it 
is  intimated  by  a mark  of  interrogation  (?). 
I have  also  accented  proper  names  when  they 
first  occur.  It  may  be  remarked  as  a general 
rule,  that  in  proper  names  the  final  e and  es 
are  to  be  sounded ; thus,  Danae  and  Pleiades 
are  words  of  three  syllables. 

But  I have  a higher  object  in  view.  Ladies 
often  complain  that  they  are  deterred  from 
the  study  of  Mythology  by  the  dread  of 
having  their  delicacy  offended.  In  my  wri- 
tings on  this  subject,  I can  assure  them,  they 
will  have  nothing  to  apprehend;  and  few 
things  could  afford  me  higher  gratification, 
than  the  consciousness  of  having  enabled  my 


PREFACE. 


IX 


fair  countrywomen  to  view  pictures,  and  read 
our  own  Poets  and  those  of  other  countries, 
with  greater  knowledge  and  consequently 
with  greater  pleasure. 

The  Wood-cuts  are  partly  taken  from  An- 
tiques, and  partly  from  the  classic  designs  of 
Flaxman. 


Two  chapters  have  been  added  in  this 
Second  Edition,  and  all  the  errors  in  the  pre- 
ceding one  corrected.  It  is  now  as  perfect 
as  I believe  I could  make  it.  It  has  been 
objected  that  I have  not  given  explanation 
enough.  This  I regard  as  the  great  merit 
of  the  book ; for  I should  have  explained  on 
some  system,  and  it  is  not  fair  to  preoccupy 
the  youthful  mind  with  any.  My  own  system 
will  be  found  in  my  large  work : here  I give 
only  the  narratives  and  ideas  of  the  ancient 
poets,  and  each  reader  or  teacher  can  apply 
the  system  he  deems  the  best. 


T.  K 


,3 

CONTENTS. 

) i 

Part  I.— THE  GODS. 

Chip  *>age 

‘ I.  Introduction ...  13 

II,  The  Grecian  Gods  in  geneial. 14 

III.  Grecian  Ideas  of  the  World. 18 

IV.  Theogony 21 

V.  The  Titans  . . . . * 24 

VI.  The  Titans  (continued) 26 

VII.  Jupiter — Zeus  32 

VIII.  Neptune — Poseidon 40 

IX.  Pluto— Hades... 43 

X.  Juno — Herp  . . . .' 48 

XI.  Mars — Ares 51 

XII.  Vulcan — Hephastus 53 

XIII.  Phoebus  Apollo  .. 55 

XIV.  Diana — A'rtemis 62 

XV.  Venus — Aphrodite 65 

XVI.  Cupid — Eros 68 

XVII.  Minerva — Pallas  Athena 70 

XVIII.  Mercury — Hermes 73 

XIX*  Ceres  and  Proserpine — Demeter  and  Per - 

sephone 76 

XX  Bacchus — Diony'sus 81 

XXI.  Sister-Goddesses . . 84 


u 


Xll  CONTENTS. 

Chfcp.  Pagj 

XXII.  Themis,  Iris,  Hebe,  Paeon,  and  other  Deities . 89 

XXIII.  The  Rural  Deities 93 

XXIV.  The  Nymphs 97 

XXV.  The  Water-Deities 101 

XXVI.  Foreign  Deities 104 

XXVII,  Italian  Deities 107 


Part  II.— THE  HEROES. 


Cfcap.  Page 

I.  Ages  of  the  World 113 

II.  Pandora - 114 

III.  Deucalion  and  Pyrrha. . 117 

IV.  Perseus • 119 

V.  Bellerophon 125 

VI.  Hercules 128 

VII.  Theseus 148 

VIII.  Procne  and  Philomela.  Cephalus  and  Procris. 

Nisus  and  Scylla 155 

IX.  Abacus,  Pelops,  and  their  Posterity. 158 

X.  The  Calydonian  Hunt 162 

XI.  The  Argonautic  Expedition 164 

XII.  The  Theban  Wars 174 

XIII.  The  Trojan  War 184 

XIV.  The  Return  of  the  Greeks 197 

XV.  The  Voyage  of  jEneas 22] 


MYTHOLOGY 


OF 

GREECE  AND  ITALY. 


Part  I.— THE  GODS. 


CHAPTER  I. 

INTRODUCTION. 

Polytheism,  or  the  belief  in  many  gods,  was 
the  religion  of  most  ancient  nations,  and  it  may 
still  be  witnessed  in  its  full  vigour  in  India. 
Learned  and  ingenious  as  the  Greeks  and  Romans 
were,  they  were  far  removed  from  the  purity  and 
simplicity  of  faith  which  distinguished  the  Israel- 
ites ; and  in  their  days  of  greatest  refinement  they 
still  worshiped  at  the  altars  of  many  gods. 

It  is  not  necessary  at  present  to  seek  to  trace 
the  origin  and  causes  of  the  polytheism  of  man- 
kind : that  such  was  the  religion  of  the  ancient 
Greeks  is  a simple  fact.  The  description  of  the 

What  is  Polytheism? — Where  has  it  prevailed  formerly? — Where 
does  it  now  ? 


2 


14 


INTRODUCTION. 


objects  of  their  worship,  and  the  narration  of  the 
principal  adventures  which  they  invented  for  their 
deities,  are  the  points  to  which  we  shall  direct  our 
attention. 

As  the  Greeks  were  a remarkably  ingenious 
people,  who  abounded  with  imagination,  and  were 
passionately  fond  of  poetry,  which  in  its  early  ages 
was  chiefly  narrative,  they  devised  numerous  tales 
of  the  adventures  of  their  gods ; for  their  vene- 
ration for  them  was  not  of  that  awful  character 
which  precludes  all  falsehood  and  fiction  when 
speaking  of  beings  superior  to  man. 

These  tales  or  fables  of  the  adventures  and 
actions  of  the  Grecian  gods  are  called  mythes , 
from  a Greek  word  signifying  fable ; and  the 
science  which  treats  of  them  is  termed  Mythology. 


CHAPTER  II. 

TIIE  GRECIAN  GODS  IN  GENERAL. 

The  ancient  Greeks  believed  their  gods  to  be  of 
the  same  shape  and  form  as  themselves,  but  of  far 
greater  beauty,  strength,  and  dignity.  They  also 
regarded  them  as  being  of  much  larger  size  than 

What  is  said  of  the  Greeks? — What  is  Mythology ?•— Whai 
did  the  Greeks  believe  concerning  their  gods. 


THE  GRECIAN  GODS  IN  GENERAL.  15 

men  ; for  in  those  times  great  size  was  esteemed  a 
perfection  both  in  man  and  woman,  and  conse- 
quently was  supposed  to  be  an  attribute  of  theii 
divinities,  to  whom  they  ascribed  all  perfections. 
A fluid  named  Ichor  supplied  the  place  of  blood 
in  the  veins  of  the  gods.  They  were  not  capable 
of  death,  but  they  might  be  wounded  or  otherwise 
injured.  They  could  make  themselves  visible  or 
invisible  to  men  as  they  pleased,  and  assume  the 
forms  of  men  or  of  animals  as  it  suited  their  fancy. 
Like  men  they  stood  in  daily  need  of  food  and 
sleep.  The  meat  of  the  gods  was  called  Ambro- 
sia, their  drink  Nectar.  The  gods  when  they 
came  among  men  often  partook  of  their  food  and 
hospitality. 

Like  mankind,  the  gods  were  divided  into  two 
sexes, — -namely,  gods  and  goddesses.  They  mar- 
ried and  had  children,  just  like  mortals.  Often  a 
god  became  enamoured  of  a mortal  woman,  or  a 
goddess  was  smitten  with  the  charms  of  a hand- 
some youth,  and  these  love-tales  form  a large 
portion  of  Grecian  mythology. 

To  make  the  resemblance  between  gods  and 
men  more  complete,  the  Greeks  ascribed  to  their 
deities  all  human  passions,  both  good  and  evil. 
They  were  capable  of  love,  friendship,  gratitude, 


What  powers  were  ascribed  to  the  gods?  — What  imper- 
fections ? — What  passions  ? 


1G  THE  GRECIAN  GODS  IN  GENERAL. 

and  nil  the  benevolent  affections : — on  the  othei 
hand,  they  were  frequently  envious,  jealous,  and 
revengeful.  They  were  particularly  careful  tc 
exact  all  due  respect  and  attention  from  mankind, 
whom  they  required  to  honour  them  with  temples, 
prayers,  costly  sacrifices,  splendid  processions, 
and  rich  gifts ; and  they  severely  punished  insult 
or  neglect. 

The  abode  of  the  gods,  as  described  by  the 
more  ancient  Grecian  poets,  such  as  Homer  and 
Hesiod,  was  on  the  summit  of  the  snow-clad 
mountains  of  Olympus  in  Thessaly.  A gate  of 
clouds,  kept  by  the  goddesses  named  the  Seasons, 
unfolded  its  valves  to  permit  the  passage  of  the 
Celestials  to  earth,  or  to  receive  them  on  their 
return.  The  city  of  the  gods,  as  we  may  term  it, 
was  regulated  on  the  same  principle  as  a Grecian 
city  of  the  heroic  ages.  The  inhabitants,  who 
were  all  the  kindred  or  the  wives  and  children  of 
the  king  of  the  gods,  had  their  separate  dwellings ; 
but  all,  when  summoned,  repaired  to  the  palace  of 
Jupiter,  whither  also  came,  when  called,  those  dei- 
ties whose  usual  abode  was  the  earth,  the  waters, 
or  the  under  world.  It  was  also  in  the  great  hall 
of  the  palace  of  the  Olympian  king  that  the  gods 
feasted  each  day  on  ambrosia  and  nectar ; which 


What  honours  were  required  by  them? — Where  was  then 
abode  ? — Describe  their  supposed  manner  of  living. 


THE  GRECIAN  GODS  IN  GENERAL.  17 

ast  precious  beverage  was  handed  round  by  the 
lovely  goddess  Hebe  ( Youth ), — maid-servants 
being  the  usual  attendants  at  meals  in  the  houses 
of  the  Grecian  princes  in  early  times.  Here  they 
conversed  of  the  affairs  of  heaven  and  earth ; and 
as  they  quaffed  their  nectar,  Apollo  the  god  of 
music  delighted  them  with  the  tones  of  his  lyre, 
to  which  the  Muses  sang  in  responsive  strains. 
When  the  sun  was  set,  the  gods  retired  10  sleep 
in  their  respective  dwellings. 

The  Dawn,  the  Sun,  and  the  Moon,  who  drove 
each  day  in  their  chariots  drawn  by  celestial  steeds 
through  the  air,  gave  light  to  the  gods  as  well  as 
to  men. 

With  the  exception,  perhaps,  of  the  robes  and 
other  parts  of  the  dress  of  the  goddesses,  which 
were  woven  by  Minerva  and  the  Graces,  every- 
thing on  Olympus  appertaining  to  the  gods  was 
formed  of  the  various  metals,  especially  brass  or 
copper,  the  metal  which  was  in  the  greatest  abun- 
dance in  Greece ; for  we  must  always  recollect, 
that  the  gods  being  the  mere  creation  of  fancy, 
everything  relating  to  them  was  framed  according 
to  the  ideas  and  state  of  manners  in  the  early  ages 
of  Greece. 

Vulcan  was  architect,  smith,  armourer,  chariol- 


What  was  Hebe’s  office? — Apollo’s? — The  Muses’? — Vui* 


18  THE  GRECIAN  GODS  IN  GENERAL. 

ouilder,  and  everything  in  Olympus.  He  built 
of  brass  the  houses  of  the  gods  ; he  made  for  them 
the  golden  shoes,  with  which  they  trod  the  air  or 
the  water,  and  moved  from  place  to  place  with 
the  speed  of  the  wind  or  even  of  thought;  he 
also,  it  would  appear,  shod  with  brass  the  celestial 
steeds,  which  whirled  the  chariots  of  the  gods 
through  the  air  or  along  the  surface  of  the  sea. 
This  divine  artist  was  even  able  to  bestow  on 
his  workmanship  automatism,  or  the  power  of 
self-motion;  the  tripods  which  he  formed  could 
move  of  themselves  in  and  out  of  the  celestial 
hall.  He  even  endowed  with  intelligence  the 
golden  handmaidens  whom  he  framed  to  wait  on 
himself. 

7 , , lr  / 


CHAPTER  in. 

GRECIAN  IDEAS  OF  THE  WORLD. 

In  order  clearly  to  understand  the  mythology 
of  the  Greeks,  it  is  necessary  to  have  an  adequate 
conception  of  their  notions  of  the  world  and  its 
different  parts.  This  is  called  Cosmology. 

The  ancient  Greeks  believed  the  earth  to  be  flat 


What  were  some  of  Vulcan’s  works?— What  is  cosmology  ? 


GRECIAN  IDEAS  OF  THE  WORLD.  19 

and  circular  : their  own  country  they  conceived  to 
occupy  the  centre  of  it ; the  central  point  being 
either  Mount  Olympus  the  abode  of  the  gods,  or 
Delphi,  so  renowned  for  its  oracle. 

The  circular  disk  of  the  earth  was  crossed  from 
west  to  east,  and  divided  into  two  equal  parts,  by 
the  Sea,  as  they  called  the  Mediterranean  and  its 
continuation  the  Euxine, — the  only  seas  with  which 
they  were  acquainted. 

Around  the  earth  flowed  the  river  Ocean.  Its 
course  was  from  south  to  north  on  the  western 
side  of  the  earth.  The  steady  equable  current  of 
the  Ocean  compassed  the  earth,  unmoved  by  storm 
or  tempest ; and  hence  it  was  called  soft-flow* 
mg:  it  was  also  termed  back-flowing , on  account 
of  its  circular  course.  The  sea  and  all  the  springs 
and  rivers  on  earth  derived  their  origin  from  it. 

The  Ocean  had  a further  bank : but  only  that 
portion  of  it  which  lay  to  the  west  is  spoken  of  by 
the  poets.  Homer  places  there  a people  whom  he 
calls  Kimmerians : he  also  makes  it  the  abode  of 
the  dead. 

In  the  remoter  part  of  the  northern  half  of  the 
earth  dwelt  a people  named  Hyperboreans,  sacred 
to  the  god  Apollo,  who  bestowed  on  them  wealth 
and  happiness  in  abundance.  The  coast  of  the 


What  did  the  Greeks  believe  concerning  the  shape  of  the 
earth? — Olympus  ? — the  Ocean  ? — Kimmerians  ? — Hyperboreans? 


20  GRECIAN  IDEAS  OF  THE  WORLD. 

Ocean  on  the  southern  side  was  inhabited  by  the 
swarthy  ^Ethiopians.  The  islands  and  coasts  of 
the  western  portion  of  the  Mediterranean  Sea  were 
the  abode  of  the  various  tribes  visited  by  Ulysses 
in  his  wanderings  : its  eastern  part  was  inhabited 
by  the  Libyans,  Egyptians,  and  other  nations  well 
known  to  the  Greeks. 

On  the  western  extremity  of  the  southern  half 
of  the  terrestrial  disk  was  a happy  place  named 
Elysium,  whither  the  king  of  the  gods  transported 
his  favourites  among  men,  to  dwell  in  an  eternity 
of  bliss. 

It  would  appear  that  according  to  the  ideas  of 
the  ancient  Greeks,  the  ivorld  was  a hollow  sphere 
or  globe,  divided  internally  into  two  equal  portions 
by  a flat  disk  of  the  earth , with  the  Ocean  and 
its  further  bank  running  round  it  on  the  outside 
like  a rim : — the  common  armillary  sphere  will 
serve  to  give  an  idea  of  it.  The  poets  call  the  exter- 
nal shell  of  the  sphere  brazen , and  iron , to  express 
its  solidity.  The  part  above  the  earth  was  called 
Heaven,  and  was  illuminated  by  the  sun,  moon, 
and  stars.  The  portion  beneath  the  earth  was 
named  Tartarus  : here  perpetual  darkness  reigned, 
and  the  vanquished  or  rebellious  gods  were  con- 
fined within  its  murky  regions. 

^Ethiopians  ? — Elysium  ? — The  World  1 — The  Earth  ? — H<*> 
ven?- -Tartarus  ? 


GRECIAN  IDEAS  OF  THE  WORLD.  21 

The  Dawn,  the  Sun,  and  the  Moon  rose  out  of 
Ocean  on  the  eastern  side,  and  drove  through  the 
air,  giving  light  to  gods  and  men.  The  stars  also, 
except  those  forming  the  Wain  or  Bear,  rose  out 
of  and  sank  into  the  stream  of  Ocean. 

Such  were  the  ideas  of  the  universe  entertained 
by  the  Greeks  in  the  time  of  Homer  and  Hesiod. 
With  the  progress  of  physical  and  geographical 
knowledge,  many  of  these  erroneous  notions  were 
corrected  ; but  the  poets  still  retained  most  of  the 
ideas  of  their  predecessors. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

THEOGONY. 

The  origin  of  the  world,  and  its  various  parts  and 
inhabitants,  was  represented  by  the  ancient  Greeks 
as  the  birth  of  animated  beings.  The  gods  whom 
they  worshipped  formed  a part  of  the  series  of 
beings  who  gradually  came  into  existence  ,*  and 
hence  the  account  of  it  is  called  Theogony , or 
Birth  of  the  Gods. 

Chaos,  or  empty  space , they  said,  existed  first : 
then  came  into  being  Earth,  Tartarus,  and  Love. 

The  Dawn,  the  Sun,  and  the  Moon  ? When  did  these  notions 
prevail  ? — What  is  Theogony  ? — Chaos  ? — What  next  came  into 
being  ? 


22 


THEOGONY. 


E'rebus  ( Darkness  ?)  and  Night  were  the  children 
of  Chaos;  Night  bore  to  Erebus,  Day  and  jEther. 

Night  was,  without  a father,  the  parent  of  the 
Hespe rides,  or  maidens  who  kept  the  golden 
apples  on  the  shore  of  Ocean ; of  Momus,  and  of 
Woe ; of  Death,  Sleep,  and  Dreams ; of  Neme- 
sis, of  Old-age,  and  Discord. 

Earth  brought  forth  U'ranus  or  Heaven,  the 
Sea  ( Pontus ),  and  the  mountains.  She  bore  to 
Heaven  six  sons,  Oceanus,  Coeus,  Crius,  Hyperi- 
on, Japetus,  and  Saturn ; and  six  daughters, 
Thea,  Rhea,  Themis,  Mnemosyne,  Phoebe,  and 
Tethys : and  these  twelve  were  called  the  Titans. 
Earth  and  Heaven  were  likewise  the  parents  of 
the  three  Cyclopes, — Brontes,  Steropes,  and  Ar- 
ges  ; and  of  the  three  Plundred-handed, — Cottus, 
Briareos,  and  Gyges. 

These  children  were  hated  by  their  father  ; and 
as  soon  as  they  were  born  he  hid  them  in  a cavern 
of  Earth  ; who,  indignant  at  his  conduct,  produced 
the  metal  named  steel,  and  forming  from  it  a sickle, 
gave  it  to  her  son  Saturn,  who,  lying  in  wait  for 
his  father,  mutilated  him.  The  drops  of  blood 
which  fell  on  the  earth  gave  origin  to  the  Giants 
and  the  Melian  nymphs : from  what  fell  into  the 
sea  sprang  Venus,  the  goddess  of  love  and  beauty. 

Who  were  the  children  of  Night  ? — Earth  ? — What  is  related 
of  Earth’s  children  ? 


THEOGONY. 


23 


By  her  other  son  Pontus  {the  Sea),  Earth  was 
the  mother  of  Thaumas  {Wonder),  Nereus,  Phor 
cys,  and  a daughter  named  Ceto  {Huge,  or  Sea- 
monster).  Thaumas  married  Electra  ( Brightness ) 
a daughter  of  Oceanus,  who  bore  him  Iris  {Rain 
bow)  and  the  Plarpies  or  Wind-goddesses.  Nereus 
had  by  Doris,  also  a daughter  of  Oceanus,  the 
fifty  sea-nymphs  called  the  Nereides.  Phorcys 
was,  by  his  sister  Ceto,  father  of  the  Grsese,  the 
Gorgons,  and  the  Serpent  which  with  the  Hespe- 
rides  watched  the  golden  fruit. 

When  here  and  elsewhere  we  read  of  gods  mar- 
ried to  their  sisters,  we  must  recollect,  in  excuse 
of  the  old  bards  who  relate  such  things,  that  in 
the  East,  and  among  the  Ionian  Greeks,  where 
the  female  part  of  the  family  were  kept  secluded, 
such  marriages  were  not  prohibited.  We  thus  find 
the  patriarch  Abraham  married  to  his  half-sister 
Sarah ; and  Cimon  the  great  Athenian  stood  in  a 
similar  relation  to  his  wife  Elpinice.  In  theogony, 
we  must  also  allow  for  the  necessity  of  the  case  , 
just  as  we  are  obliged  to  suppose  that  the  children 
of  Adam  and  Eve  espoused  each  other.  ^ 


Who  were  the  children  of  the  Sea  ?-  -Of  Thaumas  ? — Nero 
so  ? — Phorcys  ? 


24 


THE  TITANS. 


CHAPTER  V. 


THE  TITANS.  SATURN. 

Oceanus  married  his  sister  Tethys,  who  gave 
birth  to  the  Oceanides,  or  Ocean-nymphs,  and  all 
Ihe  rivers  and  springs.  He  and  his  wife  and  daugln 
ters  dwelt  in  a grotto-palace  in  the  western  part 
of  the  stream,  over  which  he  ruled,  and  which 
was  named  from  him. 

Coeus  and  his  sister  Phoebe  ( Brightness ) had  two 
daughters,  Latona  ( Night  ?)  and  Asteria  ( Starry ). 

The  offspring  of  Crius  and  Eury'bia  ( Wide 
orce)  were,  Astrseus  (Starry),  Pallas  (Shaker  ?) 

Who  was  the  wife  of  Oceanus  ? — The  daughters  ? — Who  wer$ 
the  children  of  Crius  ? 


THE  TITANS. 


25 


and  Perses  ( Bright  ?).  Astrceus  had  by  Aurora 
(Dawn),  the  daughter  of  his  brother  Hyperion, 
the  winds,  Zephyrus  (West),  Boreas  (North),  and 
Notus  (South).  Pallas  had  by  the  Ocean-nymph 
Styx,  Envy  and  Victory,  Strength  and  Force. 
Perses  was,  by  Asteria,  father  of  Hecate  (Far- 
caster ),  a goddess  of  the  night. 

Hyperion  ( Over-going)  married  his  sister  Thea 
(Swift  ?)  : their  offspring  were  Helius  (Sun),  Se- 
lena (Moon),  and  Aurora  (Dawn). 

Japetus  and  one  of  the  Oceanides  had  four  sons, 
Atlas,  Prometheus,  Epimetheus,  and  Mena3tius. 

^ Saturn  espoused  his  sister  Rhea.  They  had 
three  sons  and  three  daughters;  namely,  Pluto, 
Neptune,  Jupiter,  and  Vesta  (Hestia),  Ceres,  and 
Juno.  The  last  born  of  these  was  Jupiter.  Heaven 
and  Earth  having  told  Saturn  that  he  was  fated  tc 
be  deprived  of  his  kingdom  by  one  of  his  sons, — 
to  prevent  the  calamity  he  devoured  his  children 
as  fast  as  they  were  born.  Rhea,  when  about  to 
become  the  mother  of  Jupiter,  advised  with  her 
parents  on  the  means  of  saving  him.  Earth  di- 
rected her  to  give  a stone  swathed  in  linen  to  Sa- 
turn instead  of  the  child.  She  did  so  : and  Saturn, 
unsuspicious  of  the  deceit,  swallowed  it.  Jupiter 
in  the  mean  time,  was  reared  by  the  Nymphs  in  a 

Astraeus  ? — Pallas  ? — Perses  ? — Hyperion  ? — Japetus  ? — Sa 
turn  ? — What  was  predicted  of  Jupiter  ? — How  was  his  life  saved 
3 


26 


THE  TITANS. 


cavern  of  Crete.  When  grown  up,  he  espoused 
Metis  ( Prudence ) who  administered  a draught  to 
Saturn,  which  caused  him  to  cast  up  the  stone  and 
his  other  children. 

The  children  of  Saturn,  headed  by  Jupiter  now 
rebelled  against  their  father,  who  was  aided  by 
the  other  Titans,  his  brothers.  The  war,  of  which 
Thessaly  was  the  scene, — the  sons  of  Saturn  fight- 
ing from  Mount  Olympus,  the  Titans  from  Mount 
Othrys, — lasted  ten  years.  At  length  Jupiter  re- 
leased the  Hundred-handed,  and  with  their  aid 
gained  the  victory.  The  vanquished  Titans  were 
confined  in  the  gloomy  region  of  Tartarus,  and 
the  Hundred-handed  were  set  to  guard  them. 
Jupiter  now  assumed  the  empire  of  the  world. 


CHAPTER  VI. 
the  titans  ( continued .) 

The  Titans,  however,  were  not  all  consigned 
to  Tartarus.  The  following  are  to  be  found  still 
in  office,  or  employed  under  the  reign  of  Jupiter. 

Atlas,  the  son  of  Japetus,  had  the  task  (a  pun- 
ishment inflicted  on  him  for  his  share  in  the  war,) 

What  war  took  place? — Describe  it  —What  is  related  of 
Atlas  ? 


THE  TITANS. 


27 


of  supporting  the  heavens  on  his  shoulders.  We 
"shall  find  the  hero  Hercules  relieving  him  for  a 
time  of  his  burden.  He  was  married  to  one  of 
the  daughters  of  Oceanus,  by  whom  he  had  seven 
daughters,  called  the  Pleiades  or  Atlantides  ; their 
names  were  Maia,  Electra,  Taygete,  Asterope, 
Merope,  Alcy'one,  and  Celseno.  They  form  the 
constellation  of  the  Pleiades  in  the  sign  of  the 
Bull.  Atlas  was  also  the  father  of  the  beautiful 
nymph  Calypso,  who  entertained  Ulysses  in  her 
isle  Ogy'gia. 

Prometheus  is  by  some  said  to  have  been  the 
creator  of  man,  whose  benefactor  he  certainly  was 
He  stole  fire  from  heaven,  and  gave  it  to  the  new- 
formed  race,  whose  life  might  have  passed  away 
in  misery  if  left  destitute  of  that  element.  Jupi- 
ter, to  punish  him  for  this  or  some  other  offence 
chained  him  to  a rock  on  Mount  Caucasus,  where 
an  eagle  evermore  preyed  on  his  liver.  At  length 
Hercules,  coming  to  the  place  of  his  punishment, 
shot  the  eagle  with  his  arrows,  and  delivered  the 
suffering  Titan. 

The  remaining  Titans  were  more  fortunate  than 
Vtlas  and  Prometheus. 

Oce'anus  still  abode  in  his  circling  stream,  and 


Prometheus  ? — Oceanus  ? 


48 


THE  TITANS. 


was  treated  with  the  utmost  respect  by  Jupiter, 
Juno,  and  the  other  gods. 

Auro'ra,  or  Eos,  the  goddess  of  the  Dawn, 
dwelt  in  a palace  on  the  east  side  of  the  earth, 
whence  every  morning  she  went  forth  in  her  yel- 
low chariot  drawn  by  four  steeds  of  brilliant  white, 
before  ber  brother,  the  Sun,  and  drove  through  the 
sky,  shedding  light  abroad.  In  the  evening  she 
sank  in  the  west  before  him,  and  they  were  con- 
veyed together  round  to  the  east  during  the  night. 

Aurora  was,  by  Astrseus,  mother  of  the  winds, 
Zephyrus,  Boreas,  and  Notus.  She  bore  him  also 
Eosphorus  ( Dawn-bearer ) or  Morning-star,  and 
the  Stars  of  Heaven. 

The  goddess  of  the  Dawn  was  at  times  inspired 
with  the  love  of  mortals.  She  carried  off  Orion, 
and  kept  him  in  the  isle  of  Ortygia  till  Diana 
slew  him  with  her  arrows.  She  also  carried  off 
Cephalus,  the  son  of  Mercury  by  Hersa  ( Dew ), 
daughter  of  Cecrops  king  of  Attica,  and  had  by 
him  a son  named  Phaethon  ( Gleaming ),  whom 
Venus,  on  account  of  his  beauty,  set  to  keep  her 
temple.  Her  greatest  favourite,  however,  was 
Tithonus,  son  of  Laomedon  king  of  Troy,  whom, 
after  her  usual  fashion,  she  ran  away  with.  She 


Aurora  ? — Tithonus  ? 


THE  TITANS. 


29 


prevailed  on  Jupiter  to  grant  him  immortality  ; but 
forgetting  to  have  youth  joined  in  the  gift,  to  her 
great  mortification  she  began,  after  some  tirne^  *o 
discern  the  symptoms  of  advancing  old  age  and 
decrepitude.  When  his  hair  was  grown  white,  she 
left  his  society ; but  he  still  had  the  range  of  her 
palace,  lived  on  ambrosial  food,  and  was  clad  in 
celestial  raiment.  At  length  he  lost  the  power  of 
moving  his  limbs,  and  then  she  shut  him  up  in  his 
chamber,  whence  his  feeble  voice  might  at  times 
be  heard.  It  is  also  said  that  she  turned  him  into 
the  noisy  insect  called  by  the  Greeks  Tettix  (Ci- 
cada), or  Tree-hopper. 

Aurora  and  Tithonus  had  two  children  : Mem- 
non,  a renowned  hero  slain  at  the  siege  of  Troy, 
and  another  son  named  iEmathion,  who  was  killed 
by  Hercules. 

He'lius,  or  Sol,  the  Sun-god,  the  brother  of 
Aurora,  dwelt  like  her  on  the  eastern  side  of  the 
earth.  He  drove  after  her  each  day  in  his  four- 
horse  chariot  along  the  sky.  At  evening  they  all 
went  down  into  a golden  cup  or  vessel,  made  by 
Vulcan,  which  carried  them  during  the  night  round 
the  northern  part  of  the  earth,  so  as  to  be  m time 
to  set  out  again  in  the  morning,  r ^ 


Memnon  ? — iEmathion  ? — Helius  ? 


30 


THE  TITANS. 


By  Persa,  or  Perseis  ( Brightness  ?),  a daughter 
of  Oceanus,  the  Sun  was  the  father  of  Circe 
{Hawk  ?),  the  great  enchantress,  and  her  brother 
iEetes  king  of  Colchis.  Persa  also  bore  him  Pa- 
siphae  ( All-bright ),  who  married  Minos  king  of 
Crete.  The  Sun  was  also  the  sire  of  Augeas 
{Bright)  king  of  Elis,  renowned  for  his  wealth  in 
flocks  and  herds. 

Helius,  and  the  Oceanide  Cly'mene,  had  a son 
named  Phaethon  {Gleaming),  whose  claims  to  a 
celestial  origin  being  denied  by  E'paphus  the  son 
of  Jupiter  and  Io,  he  journeyed  to  the  palace  of 
his  reputed  sire,  from  whom  he  drew  an  unwary 
oath  that  he  would  grant  him  whatever  he  desired. 
His  request  was  the  guidance  of  the  solar  chariot 
for  one  day,  that  all  might  thereby  be  convinced 
that  he  was  the  offspring  of  its  lord.  Helius,  aware 
of  the  consequences,  made  every  effort  to  induce 
the  thoughtless  youth  to  content  himself  with 
some  less  perilous  proof.  Plis  arguments  and  en- 
treaties were  in  vain ; and  at  length,  with  a mourn- 
ful heart,  he  circled  his  head  with  the  glittering 
diadem  of  rays,  and  committed  the  reins  to  his 
hand.  In  the  midst  of  his  directions  the  impatient 
youth  lashed  on  the  horses,  who  sprang  along  th^ 
celestial  way ; but  soon  aware  of  the  feeble  hand 


Circe  ?—  Phaethon  ? 


THE  TITANS. 


* 31 


which  guided  them,  they  ran  out  of  the  course, 

And  the  world  was  enveloped  in  flames.  At  the 

prayer  of  Earth,  Jupiter  lanched  his  thunder,  and 

hurled  Phaethon  from  his  seat.  He  fell  into  the 

river  Eridanus  and  was  drowned,  and  his  sisters 

the  Heliades  ( Sun-maidens ),  weeping  for  his  death, 

were  turned,  as  they  stood  on  the  river’s  bank,  into 

the  trees  which  drop  amber  into  its  waves.  . 

. < 

Sele'na,  or  Luna,  the  moon-goddess,  drove 
along  the  sky  in  her  chariot  to  give  light,  while  her 
brother  and  sister  were  reposing  after  the  toils  of 
the  day. 

By  Jupiter,  Selena  was  the  mother  of  a daughter 
named  Hersa  {Dew).  The  god  Pan  gained  her 
love  under  the  form  of  a beautiful  white  ram. 
There  was  a youth  named  Endy'mion,  on  whom 
Jupiter  had  bestowed  the  gift  of  perpetual  youth, 
but  united  with  perpetual  sleep : a cavern  of  Mount 
Latmos  in  Caria  was  the  place  of  his  repose ; and 
here  Selena  used  to  descend  each  night,  and  please 
herself  by  gazing  on  his  charms  as  he  slumbered. 

IIe'cate  was  highly  honoured  by  Jupiter,  who 
gaxe  her  extensive  power.  She  was  a goddess 
of  the  night,  and  was  worshipped  by  men  as  the 


Selena  ? — Endymion  ? — Hecate  ? 


32 


THE  TITANS. 


averter  of  evil  and  bestower  of  increase.  In  after- 
time she  was  held  to  be  the  patron  of  magicl 
There  is  little  doubt  but  that  Hecate  was  origin- 
ally  regarded,  by  a portion  of  the  people  of  Greece 
us  a moon-goddess,  like  Selena. 


CHAPTER  VII 


Jupiter. — Zeus . 


Jupiter,  the  son  of  Saturn  and  Rhea,  when  horn 
was  concealed  by  his  mother  in  a cave  of  Mount 
Ida  in  Crete.  Here  he  was  fed  by  the  bees  and 


How  was  Jupiter  educated  1 


JUPITER. 


33 


the  doves,  and  drank  the  milk  of  he  goat  Amal- 
thea.  To  prevent  his  cries  reaching  the  ears  of 
his  father,  the  Curetes  danced  their  war-dances, 
clattering  their  arms,  around  his  cradle. 

On  the  dethronement  of  Saturn,  Jupiter  divided 
his  dominions  with  his  brothers  Neptune  and  Plu- 
to : the  portion  which  he  reserved  for  himself  was 
the  Heaven ; Earth  and  Olympus  were  common 
property.  Jupiter  was  king  of  gods  and  men  ; the 
thunder  was  his  weapon ; and  he  bore  a shield 
called  iEgis,  made  for  him  by  Vulcan,  which 
when  shaken  sent  forth  storm  and  tempest.  The 
eagle  was  his  favourite  bird,  the  oak  his  sacred 
tree.  „ j . 

The  king  of  the  gods  had  a numerous  progeny 
both  by  mortal  and  immortal  mothers.  Themis 
(Law)  bore  him  the  Fates,  the  Seasons,  and  Peace, 
Order  and  Justice ; Eury'nome  (Wide -dispensing), 
the  Graces ; Mnemosyne  (Memory),  the  Muses  ; 
the  nymph  Maia,  Mercury ; by  Ceres  he  had  Pro- 
serpine ; by  Dione  Venus  ; by  Latona,  Apollo  and 
Diana ; by  Juno,  who  was  his  queen  and  lawful 
wife,  he  was  the  father  of  Mars,  Vulcan,  Hebe 
( Youth),  and  the  Ilithyise. 

The  terrestrial  loves  of  this  god  gave  rise  to  a 
variety  of  adventures,  and  produced  a copious  list 

How  did  he  divide  his  dominions  ? — Describe  Jupiter  — Who 
were  his  children  ? 


34 


JUPITER. 


of  gods  and  heroes. — The  following  are  a few  of 
them. 

Alcmena  the  daughter  of  Electryon  was  be- 
rothed  to  her  cousin  Amphitryon,  but  refused 
o acknowledge  him  as  a husband  until  he  had 
avenged  the  death  of  her  father  on  the  Teleboans. 
During  his  absence  in  the  war  against  them,  Ju- 
piter, who  had  fallen  in  love  with  Alcmena,  as- 
sumed his  form,  and  by  narrating  a tale  of  victory 
to  the  maiden,  obtained  her  favour.  The  cele- 
brated hero  Hercules  was  the  son  of  Jupiter  and 
Alcmena. 

Antiope,  daughter  of  Nycteus  and  niece  of 
Lycus  king  of  Thebes,  was  surprised  by  Jupiter 
in  the  form  of  a satyr.  Dreading  the  anger  of  her 
father,  she  fled  to  the  town  of  Sicyon,  where  she 
married  Epopeus.  Nycteus  put  an  end  to  his  life, 
charging  his  brother  to  take  vengeance  on  Antiope 
and  her  husband.  Soon  afterwards  Lycus  slew 
Epopeus,  and  led  Antiope  back  a captive  to  Thebes. 
On  the  way  she  brought  forth  twins,  whom  her 
uncle  exposed  on  the  mountains,  where  they  were 
found  by  a shepherd,  who  reared  them,  naming 
the  one  Zethus,  the  other  Amphion.  Antiope,  who 
was  treated  with  the  utmost  cruelty  by  Dirce 
the  wife  of  Lycus,  fled  for  protection  to  her  sons 


Who  was  the  son  of  Alcmena? — Who  were  the  children  of 
Antiope? — How  did  they  revenge  their  mother’s  wrongs? 


JUPITER. 


«5 


when  they  were  grown  tip.  Tney  attacked  and 
slew  Lycus,  and  tying  Dirce  by  the  hair  to  a wild 
bull,  let  him  drag  her  till  she  expired.  They 
seized  on  the  government  of  Thebes,  which  they 
surrounded  with  walls,  the  stones  moving  of  them- 
selves to  the  sound  of  the  lyre  which  Mercury  had 
given  to  Amphion. 

Enamoured  of  the  beauty  of  Leda  the  wife  of 
Ty'ndareus,  Jupiter  took  the  form  of  a swan,  and 
gained  her  love.  She  brought  forth  two  eggs,  from 
one  of  which  came  Pollux  and  Helen,  the  chil- 
dren of  Jupiter ; from  the  other  Castor  and  Cly- 
tcemnestra,  the  mortal  offspring  of  her  husband. 

A flame  of  fire  concealed  the  god  from  iEgina 
the  daughter  of  the  river-god  Asopus,  and  she  be- 
came the  mother  of  M acus,  so  renowned  for  his 
justice  that  he  was  made  one  of  the  judges  of  the 
under-world.  A shower  of  gold  was  the  form 
in  which  Jupiter  penetrated  the  brazen  chamber 
where  Acrisius  king  of  Argos  had  shut  up  his 
daughter  Danae,  who  bore  to  the  god  a son  named 
Perseus. 

Io,  the  daughter  of  the  river  Inachus,  was  seen 
and  loved  by  Jupiter.  She  rejected  the  suit  of 
the  god ; but  as  she  fled  from  him,  she  checked 
her  flight  by  spreading  a dense  cloud  around  her 

Who  were  the  children  of  Leda  ? — Who  was  the  son  of  yEgr 
ua  ? — of  Danae  ? 


36 


JUPITER. 


Juno,  looking  down  from  heaven,  and  seeing  the 
cloud,  and  also  missing  her  husband,  suspected 
mischief.  She  sprang  to  earth ; but  Jupiter,  aware 
of  her  approach,  had  turned  Io  into  a white  cow 
When  Juno  admired  the  animal,  and  asked  him  to 
give  it  to  her,  he  could  not  refuse  her  request. 
The  goddess,  who  knew  well  who  the  cow  was, 
set  the  hundred-eyed  Argus  to  watch  her : and  as 
only  two  of  his  eyes  slept  at  a time,  there  was 
little  hope  of  deceiving  his  vigilance.  At  length 
Jupiter  desired  Mercury  to  kill  him,  as  the  only 
mode  of  liberating  Io.  Mercury,  taking  the  guise 
of  a shepherd,  came  and  sat  by  Argus,  and  by 
playing  on  his  pipe  lulled  all  his  eyes  to  slumber, 
and  then  cut  off  his  head  with  his  harpe  or  crooked 
sword.  Juno  placed  the  eyes  of  Argus  in  the  tail 
of  her  favourite  bird  the  peacock,  and  sent  a Fury 
to  torment  Io,  who  fled  all  through  the  world  till 
she  came  to  Egypt,  where  Jupiter  restored  her 
to  her  original  form,  and  she  bore  a son  named 
E'paphus. 

Callisto,  the  daughter  of  Lycaon  king  of  Arca- 
dia, was  one  of  the  companions  of  Diana,  Jupiter, 
taking  the  form  of  that  goddess,  violated  the  mo- 
desty of  the  maiden  ; and  Diana,  on  learning  what 
had  happened,  drove  the  guiltless  offender  from 


What  is  related  of  Io  ? — Callisto  ? 


JUPITER. 


37 


ner  society.  Callisto  was  mother  of  a son  named 
Areas.  Juno,  then  giving  loose  to  her  vengeance, 
turned  her  into  a bear.  Her  son,  when  he  grew 
up,  meeting  her  in  the  woods,  was  on  the  point  of 
killing  her  with  his  darts,  when  Jupiter,  transport- 
ing both  mother  and  son  to  the  skies,  made  them 
the  constellations  of  the  two  bears.  Juno  obtained 
from  Oceanus  and  Tethys  that  they  should  never 
be  permitted  to  sink  into  their  waves. 

As  Europa,  the  daughter  of  Agenor  king  of 
Sidon,  was  one  day  amusing  herself  with  her  com 
panions  and  gathering  flowers  in  the  meads  on  the 
shore  of  the  sea,  Jupiter  approached  her  in  the 
form  of  a beautiful  white  bull.  The  maiden  ca- 
ressed him,  and  at  length  ventured  to  mount  upon 
his  back:  the  god  immediately  bounded  on  the 
surface  of  the  sea,  and  ran  with  his  lovely  burden 
along  it  till  he  reached  the  isle  of  Crete,  where  he 
resumed  his  proper  form.  Europa  became  the 
mother  of  Minos,  Rhadamanthus,  and  Sarpedon. 

Adventures  more  becoming  a king  are  related 
of  Jupiter.  Such  are  those  of  his  descent  to  earth 
to  look  into  the  conduct  of  men. 

Hearing  of  the  enormous  wickedness  of  man- 
kind, Jupiter  came  down  to  earth  to  ascertain  if 
what  had  reached  his  ears  was  true.  The  reality 


Europa? 

4 


JUPITER. 


as 

exceeded  the  report.  He  came  to  the  palace  of 
Lycaon  king  of  Arcadia,  and  made  himself  known 
Lycaon  derided  his  pretensions,  and  to  try  him 
set  human  flesh  before  him  for  food.  The  god 
in  indignation  destroyed  the  house  with  lightning, 
and  turned  its  impious  master  into  a wolf. 

Jupiter,  accompanied  by  Neptune  and  Mercury, 
came  down  one  time  to  earth.  It  was  late  in  the 
evening  when  they  passed  by  the  house  of  a peasant 
named  Hy'rieus.  Seeing  that  they  were  wayfarers, 
Ilyrieus  pressed  them  to  enter  and  partake  of  his 
hospitality.  The  gods  accepted  the  kind  invitation ; 
and,  pleased  with  their  entertainment,  they  re- 
vealed to  him  their  rank,  and  asked  if  he  had  any 
wish  to  gratify.  The  wife  of  the  kind  host  was 
dead,  and  he  had  sworn  never  to  marry  another, 
yet  he  wished  to  have  a child.  The  gods  took 
the  hide  of  his  only  ox,  which  he  had  offered  in 
sacrifice  to  them,  and  buried  it  in  the  earth.  Ten 
months  afterwards  a child  came  to  light,  which  he 
named  Orion,  who  became  a mighty  hunter,  and 
was  at  last  slain  by  Diana. 

Jupiter  and  his  son  Mercury  once  came  in  the 
evening  to  a village,  where  they  sought  hospitality; 
but  every  door  was  closed  against  them.  At  length 
they  reached  a cottage,  where  dwelt  an  ancient 


Lycaon  l — Hyrieua  ? 


JUPITER. 


39 


couple  named  Philemon  and  Baucis.  By  these 
they  were  received  and  entertained  as  well  as  their 
humble  means  would  allow.  Charmed  with  the 
good  old  pair,  the  gods  revealed  their  rank,  and 
desired  them  to  accompany  them  to  the  summit 
of  a neighbouring  hill.  On  looking  down  towards 
their  village,  Philemon  and  his  wife  saw  nothing 
but  a lake,  with  their  cottage  standing  on  its  side. 
As  they  gazed,  it  became  a temple ; and  on  the 
gods  asking  them  what  was  their  desire,  they  said 
to  serve  them  in  that  temple,  and  to  die  at  the 
same  moment.  Their  wish  was  granted  ; and  one 
day  as  they  were  standing  before  the  temple  and 
talking  over  the  wonderful  tale,  they  were  turned 
into  trees  where  they  stood. 


Philemon  and  Baucis  ? 


NEPTUNE. 


40 


CHAPTER  YIIL 


Neptune.  — Poseidon . 

Neptune  was  the  son  of  Saturn  ar?c  Rhea.  The 
sea  fell  to  his  lot  on  the  division  of  the  dominions 
of  his  father.  As  god  of  the  sea  he  bore  the  three- 
pronged  spear  or  trident  used  by  fishermen,  and 
dolphins  and  other  marine  animals  usually  at* 
tended  him. 

The  queen  of  Neptune  was  Amphitrite,  one  of 
the  daughters  of  Nereus  and  Doris.  In  his  suil 
to  her  he  was  aided  by  a dolphin,  whom  in  gra- 
titude he  placed  among  the  stars.  Their  children 


, What  ia  related  of  NepUine  ? — Amphitrite  t 


NEPTUNE. 


41 


were  Triton,  whom  he  made  his  trumpeter,  and  a 
daughter  named  Rhoda,  who  was  married  to  the 
Sun-god. 

Like  his  brother  Jupiter,  Neptune  was  not 
strictly  faithful  to  his  wife ; but  Amphitrite  seems 
to  have  been  less  prone  to  jealousy  than  Juno.  It 
is  said  that  Neptune  became  enamoured  of  the 
goddess  Ceres,  when  one  time  she  had  taken  the 
form  of  a mare.  The  goddess  gave  birth  to  a foal, 
which  was  named  Anon.  He  was  reared  by  the 
Nereides,  who  used  to  yoke  him  to  his  father’s 
chariot,  which  he  drew  along  the  surface  of  the 
sea.  Arion  became  the  property  of  Adrastus 
king  of  Argos,  who  owed  his  life  to  his  fleetness 
in  the  first  Theban  war. 

Tyro,  the  daughter  of  Salmoneus,  loved  the 
river  Enipeus.  Neptune,  who  was  enamoured  of 
her,  took  the  form  of  the  river-god,  and  she  bore 
two  sons,  named  Pelias  and  Neleus,  which  last 
was  the  father  of  Nestor.  — - 

Neptune  took  the  form  of  a dolphin  to  deceive 
Melantho : as  a ram  he  gained  the  love  of  Theo- 
phane,  who  bore  the  gold-fleeced  ram  which  car- 
ried Phrixus  and  Helle  to  Colchis.  By  Iphimedeia 
Neptune  was  the  father  of  Otus  and  Ephialtes, 
who  were  of  such^gig^ntic  size  and  strength,  that 


Arion  ? — Tyro  ?— Otus  ? — Ephialtes  ? 


42 


NEPTUNE. 


when  but  nine  years  old  they  attempted,  by  piling 
the  Thessalian  mountains  on  each  other,  to  scale 
Heaven.  The  Cyclops  Polyphemus  whs  the  soi: 
of  Neptune  and  the  sea-nymph  Thoo'sa ; and  many 
renowned  heroes  likewise  claimed  Neptune  for 
their  sire. 

The  origin  of  the  horse  was  ascribed  to  Nep- 
tune. It  is  said  that  when  he  and  Minerva  con- 
tended for  the  right  of  naming  the  city  built  by 
Cecrops  in  Attica,  the  gods  declared  that  they 
would  decide  in  favour  of  the  one  who  should 
produce  what  would  be  most  useful  to  mankind. 
Neptune  struck  the  earth  with  his  trident,  and 
forth  sprang  the  first  horse ; Minerva  caused  an 
olive  to  shoot  up.  The  gods  gave  judgment  in 
favour  of  the  emblem  of  Peace,  and  the  god- 
dess called  the  town  Athens,  from  her  own  name 
Athena. 


Give  an  account  of  the  origin  of  the  name  of  Athena 


pluto. 


5 


43 


CHAPTER  IV 


Pluto — (Hades.) 

Pluto,  the  son  of  Saturn  and  Rhea,  became 
lord  of  the  upder- world  on  the  dethronement  of 
his  father.  All  the  dead  of  mankind  were  under  the 
rule  of  this  deity,  who  is  described  as  gloomy  and 
inexorable ; for  from  the  realm  of  Pluto  there  is 
no  return ; and  the  ancient  Greeks  believed  it  to 
be  dark  and  cheerless. 

The  queen  of  Pluto  was  Proserpine,  the  daughter 
of  Ceres,  whom  he  carried  off,  as  will  be  presently 
related. 

The  souls  of  the  dead  were  conducted  down  to 


What  is  related  of  Pluto  ? — Ilis  realm  ?—  His  wile  ? 


44 


PLUTO. 


the  realm  of  Pluto  by  Mercury.  On  reaching  the 
river  which  surrounded  it,  they  found  Charon  with 
his  boat  waiting  to  receive  them.  His  fare  was  a 
small  piece  of  money,  which  was  always,  for  that 
purpose,  placed  in  the  mouth  of  the  deceased. 
Having  disembarked  on  the  further  bank,  they 
went  on  till  they  came  to  the  palace  of  Pluto,  which 
was  guarded  by  Cerberus,  a dog  with  three  heads 
and  with  serpents  along  his  back.  This  monster 
lay  quiet  in  his  den,  only  gazing  at  those  who  en- 
tered ; but  if  any  of  them  turned  back  and  attempt- 
ed to  make  their  escape,  he  flew  out  of  his  cavern 
and  seized  them.  The  dead  were  now  brought  be- 
fore the  tribunal  of  the  judges,  Minos,  Rhadaman- 
thus,  and  Abacus,  and  their  dooms  were  assigned 
according  to  the  life  which  they  had  led  on  earth. 
The  virtuous  were  sent  to  the  enjoyment  of  the 
blissful  region  named  Elysium,  the  wicked  were 
consigned  to  the  endless  torments  of  Tartarus. 

According  to  the  poets,  the  following  five  rivers 
were  to  be  seen  in  the  dominions  of  Pluto.  Styx 
(Dread),  whose  waters  were  piercing  cold.  When 
there  was  any  dispute  on  Olympus,  Jupiter  sent 
Iris  to  fill  a cup  with  the  water  of  Styx,  and 
bring  it  thither.  On  this  the  contending  parties 
swore  ; and  if  any  swore  falsely,  he  was  banished 

Of  the  souls  of  the  dead  ? — Charon  ? — Cerberus  ? — The 
judges? — the  Styx?  ‘ — 


PLUTO. 


45 


tor  nine  years  from  the  table  of  /he  gods.  A'che- 
ron  ( Grief ),  the  stream  over  which  Charon  ferried 
the  dead.  Cocy'tus  ( Lamentation ) ; and  Pyriphle- 
gethon  ( Fire-Jlaming ,)  or  Phlegethon  (Flaming), 
which  last  rolled  with  waves  of  torrent  flames. 
Finally,  the  quiet  placid  stream  of  Lethe  (Obli- 
vion) flowed  through  the  fragrant  valleys  of  Ely- 
sium; and  the  souls  of  the  good,  which  were 
destined  to  animate  other  bodies  on  earth,  were 
led  to  its  side  to  quaff  oblivion  of  their  present 
bliss  before  they  departed  to  taste  once  more  of 
the  bitterness  of  life  beneath  the  sun. 

The  proper  name  of  the  realm  of  Hades  or  Pluto 
was  E'rebus  (Darkness  ?).  We  term  it  the  under  - 
or  nether -world,  as  to  modern  ears  the  words  Hell 
and  the  Infernal  Regions,  by  which  it  is  usually 
designated,  suggest  ideas  of  punishment  alone, 
whereas  Erebus  was  the  abode  of  the  virtuous  as 
well  as  the  wiCKed.  The  attentive  reader  will 
also  perceive,  that  in  the  days  of  Homer,  Elysium 
and  Tartarus  did  not  form  parts  of  Erebus,  and 
that  their  transference  thither  was  the  work  of  a 
later  age. 

The  principal  criminals  who  were  punished  in 
Erebus  were  the  following : 

Tityus,  the  son  of  Jupiter  and  E'lara,  was  slain 

Acheron  ? — Cocytus  ? — Phlegethon  ? — Lethe  ? — Erebus  ?- 
Tityus?  ^ 


46 


PLUTO. 


by  Apollo  and  Diana,  for  attempting  to  offer  vio 
lence  to  their  mother  Latona.  In  Erebus  his  huge 
body  covered  nine  acres  of  land,  and  an  enormous 
vulture  preyed  without  ceasing  on  his  liver. 

Tantalus  was  so  highly  honoured  by  the  gods, 
as  to  be  admitted  to  partake  of  the  nectar  and 
ambrosia  on  which  they  feasted  in  the  halls  of 
Olympus.  At  an  entertainment  given  by  him  to 
them,  he  had  the  cruelty  and  impiety  to  kill  his 
own  son  Pelops,  and  serve  his  flesh  up  to  the  Im- 
mortals. All  shrunk  back  from  the  horrid  viands 
but  Ceres,  who  incautiously  ate  one  of  the  shoul- 
ders. Pelops  was  restored  to  life  by  Clotho,  and 
the  missing  shoulder  was  replaced  by  an  ivory 
one.  To  punish  Tantalus  for  his  atrocious  deed, 
the  gods  placed  him  up  to  his  chin  in  a lake  in 
Erebus,  with  trees  laden  with  luscious  fruits  sus- 
pending the^r  boughs  over  his  head  : but  when 
he  essays  / o quench  the  thirst  with  which  he  is 
tormented,  the  water  flies  from  his  lips  ; and  when 
he  would  pluck  the  fruit  to  satisfy  his  hunger,  the 
winds  scatter  it  abroad. 

Sisyphus  king  of  Corinth,  so  renowned  for  his 
craft,  having  contrived  to  outwit  Pluto,  was  by 
him  condemned  to  roll  a huge  stone  up  a hill  in 
Erebus.  His  toil  is  unceasing ; for  as  soon  as  he  has 

Tell  the  story  of  Tantalus. — Of  Sisyphus. 


PLUTO. 


47 


worked  it  up  to  the  summit,  it  rolls  back  in  spite 
of  him,  and  thunders  down  again  into  the  plain. 

Phlegyas,  on  learning  that  his  daughter  Coronis 
had  been  seduced  by  Apollo,  burnt  out  of  revenge 
he  temple  of  the  god  at  Delphi.  For  this  offence 
lie  was  placed  in  Erebus,  where  a stone  hanging 
over  his  head,  and  evermore  threatening  to  fall, 
keeps  him  in  a perpetual  state  of  terror. 

Ixion  the  son  of  Phlegyas  was  admitted  to  the 
society  of  the  gods  on  Olympus.  He  here  had 
the  audacity  to  aspire  to  the  love  of  the  celestial 
queen;  and  Jupiter,  to  punish  him,  precipitated 
him  to  Erebus,  and  fixed  him  on  an  ever-revolving 
wheel. 

Salmoneus,  king  of  Elis,  asserted  himself  to  be 
Jupiter,  and  claimed  divine  honours.  Fastening 
dried  hides  and  brazen  kettles  to  his  chariot,  he 
called  their  clatter  thunder  ; and  flinging  lighted 
torches  against  the  sky,  he  affected  to  lighten  like 
the  king  of  the  gods.  Jupiter  hurled  him  to  Ere- 
bus, but  his  punishment  there  is  not  described. 

The  fifty  maidens  called  Belides,  from  their 
grandfather  Bel  us,  and  Danaides  from  their  father 
Danaus,  having  fled  from  Egypt  to  escape  the 
persecution  of  their  cousins  the  sons  of  Egyptus, 
came  to  Argos  in  Greece.  They  were  followed 


Of  Phlegyas. — Of  Ixion. — Of  Salmoneus. — Of  the  Belidee. 


48 


PLUTO. 


thither  by  their  cousins,  to  whom  Danaus  con- 
sented to  give  them  in  marriage  ; but  on  the  wed- 
ding night  he  gave  a dagger  to  each  of  the  brides, 
directing  her  to  plunge  it  into  the  bosom  of  her 
husband.  All  obeyed  but  Hypermnestra,  who 
spared  the  life  of  Lynceus.  For  this  crime  the 
Danaides  were  sentenced  in  Erebus  to  fill  a pexfo- 
rated  tub  with  water. 


CHAPTER  X. 


y 

Juno — Hera . 

Juno  was  a daughter  of  Saturn  and  Rhea.  Her 
brother  Jupiter,  falling  in  love  with  her,  raised  a 


Who  was  Juno? 


JUNO. 


49 


storm,  and  taking  the  shape  of  a cuckoo  fled  to  her 
bosom  for  shelter  and  gained  her  love.  When 
he  had  dethroned  his  father,  Juno  became  his 
queen,  and  shared  in  all  his  honours.  Her  own 
character  was  irreproachable  ; but  as  we  have  al- 
ready seen,  she  could  ill  brook  his  infidelities  ; and 
Latona,  Alcmena,  Semele,  and  others,  paid  dear  for 
their  intimacy  with  the  monarch  of  the  gods. 

The  attendant  assigned  to  Juno  by  the  poets 
was  Iris,  the  swift  goddess  of  the  rainbow.  Her 
favourite  birds  were  the  peacock  and  the  cuckoo. 
Of  flowers,  she  was  most  partial  to  the  dittany, 
the  poppy,  and  the  lily.  It  is  said  that  the  lily  was 
once  yellow,  but  that  the  infant  Hercules  being 
put  to  the  breast  of  the  goddess  as  she  slept,  on 
waking  she  thrust  the  babe  indignantly  from  her 
with  such  precipitation  that  a part  of  her  milk 
was  spilt.  What  fell  on  the  heaven  produced  the 
Galaxy,  or  Milky  Way ; the  portion  which  reached 
the  earth  tinged  the  lilies  white. 

At  the  nuptials  of  Peleus  and  Thetis,  which 
the  gods  honoured  with  their  presence,  Discord, 
who  was  uninvited,  flung  a golden  apple  in  among 
them,  on  which  was  inscribed  For  the  fairest . The 
claims  of  all  were  obliged  to  give  way  to  those  of 
Juno,  Minerva,  and  Venus ; and  the  decision  was 

What  were  her  office  and  character? — What  is  said  of  Iris? 
~Oi  the  appIeTof  Discord  ? 


5 


50 


JUNO. 


left  to  Paris,  son  ot  Priam  king  of  Troy,  who  was 
at  that  time  keeping  herds  on  mount  Ida.  Mer- 
cury led  the  goddesses  thither.  Juno  proffered 
the  young  herdsman  power,  if  he  would  award 
the  prize  to  her;  Minerva,  fame  in  war  ; Venus 
the  fairest  of  women.  The  queen  of  beauty  was 
awarded  the  apple,  and  Paris  soon  afterwards 
carried  off  Helen  the  wife  of  Menelaus  king  of 
Sparta.  The  revengeful  Juno  never  rested  till 
Troy  was  taken  and  destroyed  by  the  Greeks,  to 
punish  the  crime  of  Paris. 


Tell  the  story  of  Pans  arxl  Troy. 


mars. 


51 


CHAPTER  XI. 


Mars  was  the  son  of  Jupiter  and  Juno.  Pie  was 
the  god  who  presided  over  war.  The  war-god- 
dess Enyo  or  Bellona,  his  sister  Strife,  and  his 
sons  Terror  and  Fear,  were  his  companions  when 
he  went  to  the  field  of  battle. 

It  was  said  by  some  that  Mars  was  the  son  of 
Juno  without  a father.  This  goddess,  angry  at  the 
birth  of  Minerva  from  the  head  of  Jupiter,  took 
i journey  towards  the  dwelling  of  Oceanus  and 
Tethys,  to  make  her  complaint  to  them.  On  the 

What  is  said  of  Mars  ? — of  Juno  ? 


Uc  OF  ILL  LIB. 


52 


MARS. 


way  she  stopped  to  rest  at  the  abode  of  Flora  the 
goddess  of  flowers.  She  told  the  tale  of  her  grief? 
to  her  kind  hostess,  who,  pointing  to  a flower  which 
grew  in  her  garden,  desired  her  to  touch  it.  June 
did  so,  and  became  the  mother  of  Mars. 

The  beautiful  goddess  Venus,  who  was  married 
to  Vulcan  the  lame  smith,  carried  on  an  intrigue 
with  the  god  of  war.  The  Sun  gave  information 
to  the  artist,  who  forged  an  invisible  net,  and  dis- 
posed it  in  such  a manner  as  to  catch  the  lovers. 
Fie  then  called  all  the  gods  to  behold  the  captives, 
and  would  not  release  them  till  Neptune  had  passed 
his  word  for  the  compensation  to  be  made  by  Mars. 

Terror  and  Fear,  and  Harmony,  who  was  mar- 
ried to  Cadmus,  are  said  to  be  the  children  of 
Mars  and  Venus. 

Mars  had  by  Agraulos,  daughter  of  Cecrops 
king  of  Athens,  a daughter  named  Alcippe  ( Strong - 
mare).  Halirrhothius  (Sea-wave),  a son  of  Nep- 
tune, having  offered  violence  to  the  maiden,  was 
killed  by  her  father.  Mars  was  prosecuted  for 
the  murder  by  Neptune.  Twelve  gods  sat  as 
judges  on  the  hill  at  Athens  named  Areopagus 
(Mars'  hill).  The  votes  being  equal,  he  was  ac- 
quitted ; and  such  became  the  rule  of  the  court 
which  in  after  times  held  its  sittings  on  this  hill 


Of  the  Areopagus? 


VULCAN. 


53 


CHAPTER  XII. 


V itlcan — Hephcestus . 


Vulcan,  liie  celestial  artist,  was  the  son  of  Ju- 
piter and  Juno, — some  said  of  Juno  alone.  He 
was  born  lame ; and  his  mother  was  so  displeased 
at  the  sight  of  him,  that  she  flung  him  out  of  hea- 
ven. He  was  saved  by  the  nymphs  Thetis  and 
Eury'nome,  who  kept  him  for  nine  years  in  a 
cavern  under  the  ocean ; during  which  time  he 
fashioned  for  them  a great  variety  of  trinkets  and 
ornaments. 

All  the  houses,  chariots  and  armour,  and  other 
articles  in  Olympus,  were  made  by  Vulcan.  He 


What  is  sa»d  of  Vulcan  ? — His  education  ? — His  works  ? 


54 


V|JL<’AN. 


also  made  various  wonderful  things  for  his  own 
favourites,  or  those  of  Jupiter  and  the  other  gods, 
among  men.  Alcinoiis  king  of  the  PhaBacians  had 
golden  dogs,  which  guarded  his  house  ; and  iEetes 
king  of  Colchis  brass-footed  bulls,  which  guarded 
the  Golden  Fleece, — all  made  by  Vulcan.  Vulcan 
formed  for  Minos  king  of  Cre^e  a brazen  man 
named  Talos,  who  compassed  the  isle  three  times 
a day  to  guard  it  from  invasion.  Talos’s  mode  of 
destroying  people  was  to  make  himself  red-hot  in 
the  fire,  and  then  embrace  them. 

The  servants  assigned  to  Vulcan  by  the  poets 
are  the  three  Cyclopes, — Brontes  ( Thunder ),  Ste- 
ropes  (. Lightning ),  and  Arges  ( Flame ).  His  wife 
was  Venus,  the  goddess  of  beauty. 

His  servants  ? — His  wife  ? 


PIICEBUS  APOLLO. 


55 


CHAPTER  XIII. 


Phcebus  Apollo.  c 

^Apollo  was  the  god  of  archery,  prophecy,  and 
music.  He  was  the  son  of  Jupiter  and  the  Ti- 
taness  Latona,  and  brother  of  Diana. 

Latona,  ere  she  gave  birth  to  the  twins  Apollo 
and  Diana,  was  persecuted  in  a most  cruel  manner 
by  Juno,  who  menaced  with  her  wrath  any  coun- 
try or  island  on  earth  which  should  give  shelter  to 
the  goddess.  It  was  in  vain  that  Latona  implored 
them  to  take  pity  on  and  relieve  her ; all  feared 
too  much  the  vengeance  of  the  queen  of  heaven. 


Who  was  Apollo  ? — His  parents  ?^~Whnt  is  related  of  Latona  1 


56 


PHtEBUS  APOLLO, 


At  length  the  isle  of  Delos,  which  at  that  time 
floated  among  the  Cy'clades,  offered  her  an  asy- 
lum ; and  she  brought  forth  her  children  in  that 
island,  which  thenceforth  remained  fixed,  and 
where  Apollo  had  one  of  his  principal  temples. 

When  Apollo  was  grown  up  he  went  to  Pytho 
or  Delphi,  where  he  killed  the  enormous  serpent 
Python,  which  infested  the  surrounding  country. 
He  here  built  a magnificent  temple ; and  Delphi 
became  celebrated  for  its  oracle,  by  which  the  god 
of  prophecy  announced  the  future  to  mankind. 

As  Phoebus  Apollo  was  a remarkably  handsome 
and  accomplished  god,  he  had  many  love  adven 
tures. 

The  muse  Calliope  ( Fair-voice ) bore  him  a son 
named  Orpheus,  who  became  so  skilful  a musician 
that  the  very  trees  and  rocks  moved  to  the  tones 
of  his  lyre.  Orpheus  was  married  to  Eury'dice, 
whom  he  tenderly  loved ; but  a snake  biting  her 
foot  as  she  ran  through  the  grass  to  escape  the 
pursuit  of  Aristoeus,  she  died  of  the  wound.  Her 
disconsolate  husband  formed  the  bold  resolution 
of  descending  to  the  under-world,  and  imploring 
its  rulers  to  let  her  return  to  the  light  of  day.  He 
struck  the  chords  of  his  lyre,  and  drew  forth  tones 
which  softened  the  heart  of  the  stern  monarch  ot 


Of  Python  ? — Delphi  ? — Orpheus  ? — Eurvdice? 


PHCEBUS  APOLLO. 


57 


Erebus  ; and  Eurydice  was  restored,  on  condition 
that  her  husband  should  not  look  back  till  they 
had  reached  the  upper  world.  They  journeyed  on 
through  the  gloomy  regions  of  Erebus,  and  were 
now  on  the  confines  of  light,  when  Orpheus,  fear- 
ing that  Eurydice  might  not  be  following,  looked 
back.  By  this  imprudent  act  all  his  labour  was 
undone,  and  Eurydice  lost  for  ever.  He  now 
shunned  all  human  society ; and,  despising  the 
rites  of  Bacchus,  was  torn  to  pieces  by  the  women 
of  Thrace, 

Shortly  after  his  victory  over  the  Python, 
Apollo,  seeing  the  little  Cupid  bending  his  bow, 
mocked  at  his  efforts.  Cupid,  to  punish  him,  shot 
him  in  the  heart  with  his  golden  arrow  of  love : 
and  at  the  same  time  discharged  his  leaden  arrow 
of  aversion  into  the  bosom  of  Daphne,  the  daughter 
of  the  river-god  Peneiis.  Apollo,  seeing  the  nymph 
pursued  her ; but  she  fled  from  him  with  all  her 
speed.  He  had  nearly  overtaken  her,  when  she 
reached  the  bank  of  her  father’s  stream.  She  cried 
to  Peneiis  for  aid ; and  when  Apollo  thought  to 
grasp  her,  he  found  that  his  arms  encircled  a 
bay -tree,  into  which  she  had  been  changed. 

Cassandra,  a daughter  of  Priam  king  of  Troy, 
attracted  the  love  of  Apollo ; and  in  return  she 


Apollo  and  Daphne  ? — Cassandra  ? 


58 


PHCEBUS  APOLLO. 


demanded  the  gift  of  prophecy.  The  god  readily 
granted  it ; but  the  princess  broke  her  word  when 
become  a prophetess.  Unable  to  recall  his  gift> 
Apollo  rendered  it  useless  by  depriving  her  of 
credit ; for  though  she  always  announced  the 
truth,  no  one  ever  believed  her. 

Apollo  also  loved  Marpessa,  the  daughter  of 
Evenus.  Her  father  wished  her  to  hearken  to  the 
god  ; but  her  heart  was  devoted  to  another.  The 
favoured  lover,  whose  name  was  Idas,  having  ob- 
tained a fleet  chariot  from  Neptune,  carried  her 
off.  Apollo,  meeting  the  fugitives,  seized  Mar- 
pessa : the  dispute  was  referred  to  Jupiter,  who 
allowed  the  maid  to  choose  for  herself;  and  she 
gave  her  hand  to  her  mortal  lover. 

Having  seen  one  day  Cyrene  the  grand-daughter 
of  the  river-god  Peneiis  engaged  in  combat  with  a 
lion,  in  defence  of  her  father’s  flocks,  Apollo  be- 
came enamoured  of  her.  He  carried  her  off  in  his 
golden  chariot  over  the  sea,  to  that  part  of  Libya 
afterwards  named  from  her ; and  she  gave  birth 
to  a son  named  Aristseus,  who  discovered  the  cul- 
ture of  the  olive  and  the  mode  of  managing  bees. 

Coronis,  the  daughter  of  Phlegyas  king  of  the 
Lapithoe,  had  yielded  to  the  suit  of  Apollo.  She 
however  did  not  continue  faithful  to  him  ; and  the 


Marpessa  ? — Cyrene  ? — Coronis  ? 


PHOEBUS  APOLLO. 


59 


raven,  having  witnessed  her  infidelity,  informed  the 
god  of  it,  who  discharged  one  of  his  inevitable 
arrows  into  the  bosom  of  Coronis.  She  died,  de- 
ploring, not  her  own  fate,  but  that  of  her  unborn 
babe.  Apollo  repented  when  too  late ; he  laid  her 
on  the  funeral  pyre,  and,  taking  the  babe,  gave 
him  to  Chiron  the  Centaur  to  rear.  To  punish 
the  raven,  he  changed  his  colour  from  white, 
which  till  that  time  it  had  been,  to  black. 


jEscula'pius. 


This  son  of  Apollo  by  Coronis  was  named  JEs- 
culapius.  He  became  a celebrated  physician  ,*  and 
his  skill  w'as  such,  that  he  was  able  even  to  restore 


iEsculapius  ? 


60 


PHCEBUS  APOLLO. 


the  dead  to  life.  Pluto  complaining  to  Jupitei  oi 
him,  the  king  of  the  gods  struck  him  with  thun 
der ; and  Apollo  in  revenge  shot  with  his  arrows 
the  Cyclops  who  had  forged  the  thunderbolts. 
For  this  act  he  was  banished  from  Heaven.  Coming 
down  to  earth,  he  hired  as  a herdsman  with  Adme- 
tus  king  of  Pherae  in  Thessaly,  and  fed  his  flocks 
on  the  banks  of  the  Amphry'sus.  The  prince 
treated  his  illustrious  servant  with  the  utmost 
kindness ; and  Apollo  out  of  gratitude  aided  him 
to  gain  the  hand  of  the  beautiful  Alcestis,  the 
daughter  of  Pelias.  He  also  obtained  of  the  Fates 
that  when  the  appointed  period  of  the  life  of  Ad- 
metus  should  arrive,  it  might  be  deferred  by  one 
of  his  family  dying  in  his  stead.  When  the  fatal 
time  was  come,  Admetus  besought  in  vain  his 
aged  father  and  mother  to  prolong  his  days.  The 
affection  of  his  wife  now  shone  forth,  and  she 
magnanimously  offered  to  descend  to  the  tomb  in 
his  place.  When  Death  came  to  fetch  her,  Apollo 
made  fruitless  efforts  to  prevail  upon  him  to  forego 
his  prey,  and  Alcestis  was  taken  from  her  weeping 
husband  and  children.  But  Hercules,  happening 
to  come  at  that  time  to  the  house  of  Admetus, 
engaged  and  overcame  death,  and'  restored  the 
queen  to  her  family. 


Apollo  ? — Admetus  ? — Herculen  ? 


PIKEBUS  APOLLO. 


6] 


Hyacinthus,  a beautiful  youth,  was  loved  by 
Apollo.  As  the  god  and  his  favourite  were  one 
day  playing  with  the  discus,  it  rebounded,  and 
struck  the  youth  so  violently  as  to  kill  him.  The 
mourning  deity  changed  him  into  the  flower  named 
from  him — the  Hyacinth. 

Cyparissus,  another  youth  whom  Apollo  loved, 
pined  away  with  grief  for  the  loss  of  a favourite 
stag  which  he  had  killed  by  accident,  and  was 
changed  into  a tree  of  his  own  name. 

The  satyr  Marsyas  having  found  the  pipe  which 
Minerva  had  flung  away,  and  learned  to  play  on 
it,  challenged  Apollo  to  a musical  contest.  The 
god  accepted  the  challenge : Mount  Tmolus  was 
chosen  judge,  and  he  decided  in  favour  of  the 
music  of  the  lyre.  All  acquiesced  in  the  justice  of 
the  sentence  except  Midas  king  of  the  country ; 
and  as  a reward  for  his  bad  taste,  Apollo  bestowed 
upon  him  the  ears  of  an  ass  : the  unhappy  Mar- 
syas he  flayed  alive.  Midas  sought  to  conceal 
the  altered  form  of  his  ears  ; but  he  could  not  hide 
tne  secret  from  his  barber.  He  strictly  enjoined 
him  secrecy  : but  silence  was  almost  impossible  to 
one  of  that  loquacious  fraternity.  Bursting  with 
the  secret,  he  went,  and  digging  a hole  in  the  earth, 
whispered  into  it, “King  Midas  lias  got  asses'  ears” 


Hyacinthus? — Cyparissus  ? — Marsyas  ? — Midas  ? 
6 


62 


PHCEBUS  APOLLO. 


Lo ! soon  afterwards  a crop  of  rushes  sprung  up 
from  this  hole,  and  as  they  waved  in  the  wind,  the 
words  “ King  Midas  has  got  asses'  ears ” were 
plainly  heard. 

The  hawk,  raven  and  swan  were  birds  sacred 
to  Apollo.  The  bay  or  laurel  was  his  favourite 

tree.  * 


CHAPTER  XIV. 


Dia'na — A' rtemis. 

Diana  was  twin-sister  of  Apollo,  and  daughter 
of  Jupiter  and  Latona.  She  was,  according  to  some 


What  is  related  of  Diana  ? 


DIANA.  63 

accounts,  born  before  her  brother,  and  aided  the 
„abour  of  her  mother.  This  goddess  presided  over 
the  chase  : she  loved  to  follow  with  bow  and  ar- 
rows the  flying  game  over  the  mountains,  attend- 
ed by  her  train  of  huntress-nymphs.  Diana  was 
never  married  ; and  she  was  renowned  for  her  un- 
blemished chastity.  As  we  have  seen  in  the  in- 
stance of  Callisto,  she  punished  severely  the  breach 
of  this  virtue  in  her  nymphs. 

Actseon,  one  of  the  grandsons  of  Cadmus, 
chanced,  as  he  roamed  through  the  woods  during 
the  heat  of  the  day,  to  approach  the  cave  and 
fount  in  the  vale  of  Gargaphia,  whither  Diana 
was  in  the  habit  of  retiring  to  bathe  with  her 
nymphs.  Unfortunately  for  the  youth,  the  goddess 
was  there  at  the  time  : ashamed  of  being  surprised 
in  this  situation  by  a mortal,  and  incensed  at  the 
unintentional  intrusion,  she  took  up  some  water 
in  her  hand,  and  flinging  it  on  Actseon,  turned 
him  into  a stag.  His  own  dogs  happened  to  catch 
a sight  of  him,  gave  chase,  and  running  him  down 
ore  him  to  pieces. 

Chione,  the  daughter  of  Dsedalion,  was  loved 
by  both  Apollo  and  Mercury  Her  son  by  the  for- 
mer god  was  Philammon,  a celebrated  musician; 
to  the  latter  she  bore  Autolycus,  the  notorious 


Aqtaeoii-?— Chione  ? 


64 


DIANA. 


cattle-stealer.  Far  from  being  ashamed,  Chioiie 
gloried  in  having  gained  the  love  of  two  gods ; 
and  she  presumed  to  speak  disparagingly  of  the 
beauty  of  Diana  compared  with  her  own.  The 
goddess,  to  punish  her,  shot  her  through  the  tongue 
with  one  of  her  arrows. 

Niobe,  the  daughter  of  Tantalus  and  wife  of 
Amphion,  being  the  mother  of  seven  sons  and  as 
many  daughters,  proudly  set  herself  above  Latona, 
who  had  borne  but  two  children.  The  goddess 
complained  to  her  bow-bearing  offspring;  and 
soon  the  seven  sons  of  Amphion  lay  slain  by  the 
arrows  of  Apollo,  and  his  daughters  by  those  of 
Diana.  Niobe,  stiffening  with  grief,  was  turned 
into  stone. 

CEneus  king  of  Calydon,  having  neglected  to 
make  offerings  to  Diana  along  with  the  other 

o o 

gods  at  the  termination  of  harvest,  she  sent  in 
revenge  a monstrous  boar  to  ravage  the  fields^of 
Calydon.  This  gave  occasion  to  the  celebrated 
Calydonian  Hunt,  hereafter  to  be  related. 

The  huntress-goddess  was  in  process  of  time 
identified  with  the  moon-goddess,  Selena  or  Luna  , 
with  Hecate,  the  goddess  of  the  night ; with  Ili- 
hyia,  who  assisted  at  births;  and  witn  Proser- 
pi  ne,  the  queen  of  Erebus.  Apollo  was  in  like  mariner 

Niobe  ? — CEneus  ? — What  were  jhejother  names  of  Diana  ? — 
of  Apollo. 


DIANA. 


65 


made  one  with  the  Sun.  It  is,  however,  highly 
probable  that  Apollo  was  originally  a sun-god. 
and  his  sister  a moon-goddess. 


CHAPTER  XV. 


Venus,  the  goddess  of  love  and  beauty,  was  the 
daughter  of  Jupiter  and  Dione.  Others  say  that 
Venus  sprang  from  the  foam  of  the  sea : the  gentle 
Zephyr  wafted  her  along  the  waves  to  the  isle  of 


What  is  related  of  Venus  ? 


VENUS. 


bG 

Cyprus,  where  she  was  received  and  attired  by  the 
Seasons,  and  then  led  to  the  assembly  of  the  gods, 

Venus  possessed  an  embroidered  girdle,  called 
Cestus  ( embroidered ),  which  had  the  gift  of  in- 
spiring love.  Her  favourite  birds  were  swans, 
doves,  and  sparrows,  teams  of  which  drew  her 
chariot.  The  plants  sacred  to  her  were  the  rose 
and  the  myrtle. 

Tiie  husband  of  this  lovely  goddess  was  the 
lame  artist  Vulcan  ; but  conjugal  fidelity  was  not 
her  virtue.  Her  intrigue  with  Mars  has  been  al- 
ready noticed ; and  Bacchus  and  Mercury  could, 
it  is  said,  also  boast  of  her  love. 

Mortals,  too,  enjoyed  the  love  of  Venus.  Smit- 
ten with  the  charms  of  Anchises,  a handsome 
Trojan  youth,  she  visited  him  among  the  sheep- 
cotes  on  Mount  Ida,  and  became  the  mother  of 
the  renowned  iEneas. 

Offended  with  Myrrha  daughter  of  king  Cinyras, 
Venus  inspired  her  with  love  for  her  own  father. 
Cinyras,  to  punish  the  guilt  of  his  daughter,  pur- 
suing her  with  his  drawn  sword,  she  was  changed 
by  the  gods  into  a myrrh- tree.  In  course  of  time 
he  tree  opened,  and  gave  birth  to  a babe  who  was 
named  Adonis.  Venus  gave  him  to  Proserpine  to 
rear,  who  delighted  with  his  beauty,  refused  to 


The  Cestus  ?—  Anchises  ? — Myrrha  2 


VENUS. 


67 


part  with  him.  The  matter  was  referred  to  Jupi* 
ter,  who  directed  that  he  should  spend  a part  of 
the  year  with  each  goddess.  Adonis  was  at 
length  gored  by  a wild  boar,  and  died  of  the 
wound,  and  Venus  turned  him  into  the  flower 
called  Anemone, 

The  fair  maid  Atalanta  was  warned  by  the  oracle 
to  abstain  from  marriage,  as  it  would  be  fatal  to 
her.  Being  pressed  by  many  suitors,  to  get  rid 
of  them  she  proposed  a race,  and  that  whoever 
surpassed  her  in  fleetness  should  have  her  hand, 
but  those  who  were  vanquished  should  be  put  to 
death.  As  the  speed  of  Atalanta  was  unrivalled, 
numerous  youths  had  paid  the  penalty  of  their 
rashness,  when  Hippomenes,  a son  of  Neptune, 
challenged  her  to  a trial  of  swiftness.  Atalanta 
warned  him  in  vain;  he  persisted;  and  invoking 
the  aid  of  Venus,  was  given  by  the  goddess  three 
golden  apples.  In  his  race  he  threw  from  time 
to  time  an  apple  on  the  ground  : Atalanta  ran  out 
of  the  course  to  pick  them  up,  and  Hippomenes 
first  reached  the  goal.  The  victorious  youth  for- 
got to  sacrifice  to  the  goddess  to  whom  he  owed 
his  success.  Venus  inspired  him  and  his  fair  bride 
with  sudden  passion  as  they  passed  the  cavern  of 
Cy'bele,  who  turned  them  into  lions  for  profaning  it. 


Adonis  ? — Atalanta  ? 


68 


CUPID. 


CHAPTER  XVI 


Cupid — Eros. 

O-JilA* 


Cupid,  the  god  of  love,  was  the  son  of  Venus. 
He  was  her  constant  companion ; and  armed  with 
a bow  and  arrows,  he  shot  the  darts  of  desire 
into  the  bosoms  of  both  gods  and  men. 

This  god  was  usually  represented  as  a plump 
rosy-cheeked  boy,  with  light  hair  hanging  on  his 
shoulders. 

The  god  of  love  did  not  escape  the  influence 
of  the  passion  which  it  was  his  office  to  inspire. 
Enamoured  of  a beautiful  maid  called  Psyche 
( the  soul),  he  sent  a zephyr  to  convey  her  to  a 
splendid  palace,  where  he  became  her  husband ; 


What  is  related  of  Cupid  ? — Psyche  ? 


CUPID. 


69 

but  never  let  her  behold  his  form.  Her  sisters, 
who  were  jealous  of  her  happiness,  persuading  her 
that  he  must  be  some  odious  monster,  the  impru- 
dent Psyche  took  a lamp  to  gaze  upon  him  as  he 
slept.  She  let  a drop  of  the  oil  fall  upon  him; 
the  god  awoke  and  flew  away,  leaving  her  in  de- 
spair. After  undergoing  a long  persecution  from 
Venus,  who  had  also  imprisoned  Cupid,  Psyche  is 
found  by  her  lover,  who  had  made  his  escape.  He 
interests  Jupiter  in  her  favour,  and  Venus  is  at 
length  prevailed  on  to  lay  aside  her  resentment. 
The  marriage  of  Cupid  and  Psyche  is  celebrated 
in  the  palace  of  Jupiter,  and  Psyche  bears  a son 
who  is  named  Pleasure. 

Hymexjeus,  the  god  of  marriage,  was  said  to 
be  the  son  of  Venus  and  Bacchus.  Pie  was  re- 
presented crowned  with  roses  or  marjoram  (awia- 
racus ),  with  the  nuptial  torch  in  his  hand,  and  a 
flame-coloured  veil  on  his  head. 

/ Hymens  of»? 


MINERVA. 


to 


CHAPTER  XY1L 


Minerva — Pallas  Athena . 

Minerva,  the  goddess  of  wisdom,  who  presided 
over  the  arts  and  was  the  patroness  of  scientific 
warfare,  was  the  offspring  of  Jupiter  without  a 
mother.  It  is  said  that  he  had  espoused  Metis 
(. Prudence ),  a daughter  of  Oceanus,  but  that  when 
she  was  about  to  give  birth  to  her  first  child,  he 
devoured  her ; for  Heaven  and  Earth  had  told  him 
that  the  infant  about  to  be  born  would  equal  him 
in  power  and  wisdom,  and  that  her  next  born  would 


What  is  related  of  Minerva  X 


MINERVA.  71 

be  king  of  gods  and  men.  Some  time  aflerwrvrds 
he  felt  his  head  afflicted  with  violent  pains,  and 
calling  Vulcan,  ordered  him  to  open  it  with  an 
axe.  The  fire-god  obeyed,  and  forth  sprang  Mi- 
nerva, completely  armed. 

Like  Diana  and  Vesta,  Minerva  was  a maiden- 
goddess  ; her  virtue  was  respected  by  all.  Vulcan 
once  paid  dear  for  an  attempted  breach  of  pro- 
priety. 

The  favourite  bird  of  Minerva  was  the  solemn 
contemplative  owl : the  olive,  which  she  caused  to 
shoot  up  from  the  earth,  was  the  plant  sacred  to 
her. 

This  goddess  was  always  represented  armed ; 
on  her  shield  or  on  her  breastplate  was  the  terrific 
Gorgon’s  head,  which  was  given  to  her  by  Perseus, 
as  will  be  related  in  the  sequel. 

Minerva  was  the  guardian  and  aider  of  eminent 
heroes.  She  accompanied  Perseus  and  Hercules 
in  their  adventures;  was  the  constant  protector 
and  adviser  of  Ulysses ; and  under  the  form  of  a 
man  named  Mentor,  travelled  with  Telemachus 
the  son  of  this  hero  in  search  of  his  father. 

It  was  with  the  aid  of  Minerva  that  Argus  built 
the  Argo  for  Jason,  and  Epeiis  the  wooden  horse 
by  means  of  which  Troy  was  taken.  She  excelled 


Her  bird? — Her  arms ? — Her  favountcs  ? 


72 


MINERVA. 


in  female  accomplishments,  and  wove  and  em- 
broidered her  own  robe  and  that  of  Juno.  She 
instructed  her  favourites  among  women  in  this 
art. 

Arachne,  a Mseonian  maid  whom  Minerva  had 
taught,  was  so  ungrateful  as  to  deny  the  obligation, 
and  to  challenge  the  goddess  to  a trial  of  skill. 
Having  in  vain  sought  to  make  her  relinquish  her 
mad  project,  Minerva  accepted  the  challenge. 
Each  wove  a web  adorned  with  various  actions  of 
the  gods.  That  of  Minerva  displayed  in  its  centre 
her  own  contest  with  Neptune  for  the  naming  of 
the  city  of  Cecrops  ; the  four  corners  contained 
the  transformations  of  those  who  had  dared  to  con- 
tend with  the  Celestials : olive-leaves  formed  its 
border.  The  web  of  Arachne  was  filled  with  the 
love-transformations  of  the  gods  ; its  border  was 
flowers  and  ivy.  Unable  to  find  fault  with  the 
work,  Minerva  struck  the  artist  several  blows  on 
the  forehead  with  her  shuttle.  Arachne  hong  her- 
self, and  the  goddess  turned  her  into  a spider, 
which  in  Greek  is  call  Arachne . 

As  Minerva  was  one  day  bathing  at  the  fount 
of  Helicon  with  Chariclo,  one  of  her  favourites, 
Tiresias  the  son  of  Chariclo,  approached  the 
fount  to  drink,  and  thus  unwittingly  beheld  the 


Her  weaving  ? — What  is  said  of  Arachne  ? — Tiresias 9 


MINERVA. 


73 


goddess.  As  it  was  a law  of  the  Celestials,  that 
whoever  saw  one  of  them  unpermitted  should 
never  look  upon  another  object,  Tiresias  was 
struck  with  blindness.  To  alleviate  his  misfor- 
tune,  the  goddess  gave  him  the  gift  of  prophecy. 


> 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 


Mercury — Hermes . 

f f 

Mercury  was  the  son  of  Jupiter  by  the  nymph 
Maia,  one  of  the  daughters  of  Atlas.  He  was  the 


What  is  said  of  Mercury  ? 
7 


74 


MERCURY. 


god  who  presided  over  commerce,  eloquence, 
wrestling,  and  the  other  exercises  of  the  palaestra, 
or  gymnastic  school ; even  over  thieving,  and 
everything  in  short  which  required  skill  and  in- 
genuity. He  was  the  messenger  of  Jupiter  ; and 
he  had  also  the  office  of  conducting  the  souls  of 
the  dead  to  the  under-world. 

Mercury  was  usually  represented  with  a winged 
hat  on  his  head,  and  winged  shoes  called  taldria 
on  his  feet : he  bears  a rod  entwined  by  two  ser- 
pents, and  named  caduceus , in  his  hand. 

A cavern  in  Mount  Cyllene  in  Arcadia  was  the 
birth-place  of  this  god.  Scarcely  was  he  born,  when 
he  set  forth  to  steal  some  of  the  cattle  of  the  gods 
which  fed  in  Pieria  at  the  foot  of  Mount  Olympus, 
under  the  care  of  Apollo.  At  the  door  of  the  ca- 
vern he  met  a tortoise,  which  he  killed,  and  formed 
a lyre  of  its  shell.  Arriving  in  Pieria,  he  drove 
off  fifty  cows,  and  brought  them  to  Arcadia  un- 
seen by  any  but  a man  named  Battus.  Apollo, 
pursuing,  came  to  the  cave  of  the  nymph  Maia, 
and  threatened  the  babe  severely  if  he  did  not 
restore  the  oxen.  Mercury  denied  all  knowledge 
of  them  ; but  the  matter  being  referred  to  Jupiter, 
he  ordered  the  young  thief  to  make  restitution. 

The  two  sons  of  the  Olympian  king  then  became 


The  Talaria?— The  Caduceus  ? — His  first  adventures? 


MERCURY. 


75 


excellent  friends.  Mercury  gave  his  lyre  to  Apollo, 
who  presented  him  in  return  with  the  rod,  which 
afterwards  became  the  caiuceus. 

It  is  said  that  Mercury  gave  Battus  one  of  the 
heifers  as  the  price  of  his  secrecy.  Curious  to 
know  if  he  would  be  true  to  his  word,  he  changed 
his  form,  and  coming  to  him  inquired  if  he  had 
seen  any  one  driving  cattle  that  way : on  his 
offering  a cow  as  the  reward  of  information,  the 
covetous  Battus  told  all  he  knew ; and  the  god  to 
punish  him  turned  him  into  the  Index  or  Touch- 
stone. 

As  Mercury  was  flying  one  day  over  the  city 
of  Athens,  he  beheld  Hersa  the  daughter  of  Ce- 
crops  walking  in  the  procession  which  was  return- 
ing from  the  Temple  of  Minerva.  The  god  was 
instantly  smitten  with  love,  and  only  stopping  to 
arrange  his  dress,  he  entered  the  dwelling  of  Ce- 
crops.  He  here  met  Aglauros,  the  sister  of  Hersa, 
who  asked  him  his  business : the  god  informed 
her  of  his  rank,  and  entreated  her  good  offices 
with  her  sister.  The  price  she  set  on  her  mediation 
was  a large  sum  of  gold,  and  she  made  him  leave 
die  house  till  he  should  have  brought  it.  Minerva, 
to  punish  Aglauros  for  this  and  other  offences,  sent 
Envy  to  fill  her  bosom  with  her  venom.  Aglauros. 


Of  Battus  ? — Hersa  ? — Aglauros  ? 


MERCURY. 


7() 

jealous  of  her  sister,  sat  at  the  door  of  Hersa’s 
apartment,  determined  not  to  suffer  the  god  to 
enter.  Having  essayed  prayers  and  entreaties  in 
vain,  anger  at  length  got  the  better  of  Mercury, 
and  he  turned  her  into  a black  stone. 


Ceres  and  Proserpine.  Demeter  and  Perstyhc/nc. 

Ceres  was  a daughter  of  Saturn  and  Rhea. 
She  had  by  Jupiter  a daughter  named  Proserpine, 


What  is  related  of  Ccree  ? 


CERES  AND  PROSERPINE. 


7? 


by  Neptune  was  mother  of  the  fleet  steed  Arion : 
Plutus,  the  god  of  wealth,  was  the  son  of  Ceres 
and  a mortal  named  Jasion. 

Ceres  was  the  goddess  who  presided  over  corn 
and  agriculture ; and  hence  the  allegory  of  the  god 
of  wealth  being  her  son,  for  agriculture  is  the  true 
source  of  wealth.  She  was  usually  represented 
holding  poppies  in  her  hand,  or  with  a garland 
of  them  on  her  head : long  yellow  locks  waved  on 
her  shoulders,  to  denote  the  goddess  who  ripened 
the  corn. 

The  principal  circumstances  in  the  history  of 
Ceres  are  to  be  found  in  the  tale  of  her  search  for 

,4 

her  daughter  Proserpine  when  she  was  carried  off 
by  Pluto. 

As  the  god  of  the  under-world  was  once  driving 
in  his  chariot  through  the  isle  of  Sicily,  Venus,  who 
beheld  him  from  the  summit  of  Mount  Eryx, 
desired  her  son  to  shoot  an  arrow  into  his  bosom. 
Cupid  obeyed,  and  transfixed  the  heart  of  the 
subterranean  god.  As  Pluto  drove  near  the 
town  of  Henna,  he  saw  Proserpine,  the  daughter 
of  Ceres,  gathering  flowers  with  her  playfellows 
in  the  meads  by  the  transparent  lake  of  Pergos. 
Soon  as  he  beheld  he  loved  her ; and  snatching 
her  up  into  his  chariot  carried  her  off,  while  she 

What  did  he  preside  over  ? — Relate  the  story  of  Pluto.-Pro- 
wrpine. 


78 


CERES  AND  PROSERPINE. 


vainly  called  to  her  mother  and  her  companions 
for  aid.  The  water-nymph  Cy'ane  ( Dark-blue ) 
eesayed,  but  fruitlessly,  to  stop  the  god  ; he  hurled 
his  sceptre  into  her  fount,  and  the  earth  opening, 
gave  him  a passage  to  his  gloomy  domains. 

Meantime  Ceres  sought  her  daugnter  in  all  parts 
of  the  earth.  She  rested  not  day  or  night ; for  hav- 
ing lighted  two  torches  at  iEtna,  she  searched  for 
her  by  their  light.  One  day  overcome  with  thirst 
she  approached  a cottage  to  request  something  to 
drink.  An  old  woman,  its  mistress,  gave  her  some 
gruel ; and  as  the  thirsty  goddess  swallowed  it 
eagerly,  a boy  who  was  standing  by  laughed  at 
her,  and  called  her  greedy.  Ceres  flung  in  his 
face  what  remained  in  the  vessel,  and  he  was 
changed  into  the  spotted  lizard  called  Stellio 
( Starry ). 

The  goddess  beheld  on  the  surface  of  the  fount 
of  Cyane  the  zone  of  her  daughter,  but  the  nymph 
of  the  fount  having  been  turned  into  water,  was 
unable  to  give  the  information  she  possessed.  At 
length  Arethusa,  whose  stream  ran  from  Elis  to 
Sicily  under  the  sea,  told  her  that  she  had  seen 
Proserpine  in  the  nether-world.  Ceres  immedi- 
ately repaired  to  Olympus ; and  Jupiter,  on  her 
remonstrance,  directed  that  his  daughter  should 


Of  Ceres  ?— Arethusa  ? 


CERES  AND  PROSERPINE. 


79 


return  to  heaven,  provided  she  had  eaten  nothing 
while  in  the  palace  of  Pluto.  The  goddess  de- 
parted, quite  assured  of  recovering  her  child  ; but 
unfortunately  Proserpine,  while  walking  in  the 
garden  of  Erebus,  had  plucked  a pomegranate, 
and  swallowed  seven  of  the  seeds.  Ascalaphus, 
the  son  of  Oceanus  by  Orphna  ( Darkness ) a nymph 
of  the  nether-world,  who  had  seen  her,  giving  in- 
formation, disappointed  the  confident  expectations 
of  the  goddesses ; and  Proserpine,  as  a punishment, 
turned  him  into  a Screech-owl  (Bubo) ; Jupiter 
finally  awarded  her  to  spend  one  half  of  the  year 
with  her  husband,  the  other  half  with  her  mother. 

Ceres  gave  her  chariot  drawn  by  dragons  to 
Triptolemus  (Thrice -plough),  son  of  Celeus  king 
of  Eleusis  in  Attica,  and  sent  him  to  distribute 
corn  through  the  earth.  It  is  said  that  when  Ceres 
was  roaming  in  search  of  her  lost  daughter,  she 
came  to  Eleusis,  where  she  undertook  the  nursing 
of  Triptolemus  the  infant  son  of  Celeus.  Design- 
ing to  make  him  immortal,  she  fed  him  on  am- 
brosia, and  laid  him  every  night  in  the  fire.  The 
imprudent  curiosity  of  his  mother,  who  watched 
the  goddess  and  rushed  into  the  room,  deprived 
him  of  the  intended  blessing. 

Erysichthon,  an  impious  man,  once  cut  down  a 


Jupiter  ? — Tr  rtolgmus  ? — Erysichthon  1 


80  CERES  AND  PROSERPINE. 

stately  oak-tree  which  was  sacred  to  Ceres.  As 
its  Hamadry'ad  expired  with  the  tree,  the  other 
nymphs  besought  Ceres  to  punish  the  author  of 
her  death.  The  goddess  afflicted  him  with  insa- 
tiate hunger;  and  to  procure  the  means  of  ap- 
peasing it,  he  sold  all  his  substance,  and  finally  his 
only  daughter.  As  Neptune  had  bestowed  on  this 
maiden  the  power  of  changing  her  form,  she  al- 
ways escaped  from  the  purchaser  in  the  shape  of 
some  animal,  and  returning  to  her  father  was  sold 
by  him  again.  Finally,  even  this  means  not  suf- 
ficing, Erysichthon  devoured  his  own  flesh  and 
died. 


BACCHUS. 


81 


CHAPTER  XX. 


Bacchus — Diony'sius 

Bacchus,  the  god  of  wine,  was  the  son  of  Jupi- 
ter and  a mortal  mother  Semele,  the  daughter  of' 
Cadmus  king  of  Thebes. 

Juno,  taking  the  form  of  Semele’s  nurse,  and 
affecting  to  disbelieve  that  her  lover  was  what  he 
gave  himself  out  to  be,  induced  her  to  require  of 
him  to  visit  her  in  the  same  manner  as  he  visited 
Juno.  Semele  followed  the  insidious  counsel ; and 
without  naming  her  request,  exacted  a promise 
from  the  god,  which  he  voluntarily  confirmed  by 


What  is  related  of  Bacchus? — Semele V 


92 


BACCHUS. 


an  oath.  She  then  made  known  her  wishes.  Ju- 
piter, unable  to  turn  her  from  her  purpose,  came 
surrounded  with  thunder  and  lightning,  and  the 
hapless  Semele  perished  by  the  celestial  flames. 
Jupiter,  taking  the  unborn  babe,  sewed  him  up  in 
his  thigh,  where  he  remained  till  the  due  time  of 
birth.  He  was  then  given  to  Ino,  the  sister  of 
Semele,  and  afterwards  to  the  Nyse'ian  nymphs  to 
rear ; and  was  finally  educated  by  Rhea  in  Lydia. 

When  Bacchus  was  grown  up,  his  father  sent 
Iris  to  excite  him  to  make  war  on  Deriades,  the 
haughty  king  of  India.  Numerous  nations  and 
peoples  and  warriors  marched  beneath  the  banner 
of  the  son  of  Jupiter.  The  Indians  made  gallant 
resistance.  The  war  was  continued  for  seven  years 
with  various  success,  and  finally  terminated  in  the 
death  of  the  Indian  monarch,  and  the  complete 
victory  of  Bacchus. 

Having  made  a triumphal  progress  through 
Arabia  and  other  parts  of  the  east,  Bacchus  at 
length  came  to  his  native  city  of  Thebes,  where 
all  the  family  of  Cadmus  and  the  greater  part  of 
the  inhabitants  acknowledged  him  as  the  son  of 
Jupiter,  and  received  the  sacred  rites  which  he 
introduced.  But  Pentheus,  another  grandson  of 
Cadmus,  who  then  governed  the  country,  derided 


Relate  the  story  of  Bacchus’s  conquest  of  India. — Of  Pcntheua 


BACCHUS. 


83 


his  pretensions  to  a celestial  origin,  and  opposed 
his  worship.  To  witness  with  his  own  eyes  the  mad 
orgies  which  Bacchus  had  brought  into  Greece, 
Pentheus  went  to  Mount  Cithseron,  where  his 
mother  Agave  and  the  other  Theban  women  were 
celebrating  them ; and  there  the  art  of  Bacchus 
making  him  appear  as  a wild  beast,  he  was  torn 
to  pieces  by  his  mother  and  his  aunts. 

Bacchus  was  one  time  found  by  some  Tyrrhe- 
nian mariners  on  the  shore  of  the  isle  of  Dia.  Sup- 
posing him  to  be  a mortal  youth,  they  carried  him 
away,  resolved  to  sell  him  for  a slave.  The  pilot, 
who  suspected  his  quality,  urged  them  in  vain  to 
set  him  free.  Suddenly  the  vessel  stood  as  if  rooted 
in  the  open  sea  ; ivy  and  vines  twined  round  the 
oars,  mast  and  sails,  and  the  god  appeared  sur- 
rounded by  the  forms  of  tigers,  lynxes,  and  pan- 
thers. In  terror  the  crew  jumped  into  the  sea, 
where  they  were  changed  into  dolphins.  The 
pilot  was  spared,  and  became  a follower  of  the 
god. 

Bacchus  finding  Ariadne  the  daughter  of  Minos 
king  of  Crete,  in  the  isle  of  Naxos  where  she 
had  been  abandoned  by  Theseus,  made  her  his 
spouse.  He  gave  her  a splendid  golden  crown, 
which  was  afterwards  set  among  the  stars. 


Relate  Bacchus’s  adventure  of  the  mariners. — With  Ariadne. 


84 


BACCHUS. 


The  god  of  wine  was  usually  represented  as 
an  effeminate  youth,  crowned  with  iyv  and  vine- 
leaves. 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

SISTER-GODDESSES. 

The  Muses  were  the  daughters  of  Jupiter  and 
the  Titaness  Mnemosyne  ( Memory ).  They  pre- 
sided over  song,  and  prompted  the  memory.  A< 
the  banquets  in  Olympus,  they  sang  to  Apollo’s 
lyre. 

These  goddesses  were  nine  in  number,  to  each 
of  whom  was  assigned  the  presidence  over  some 
particular  department  of  literature,  art  or  science. 

Their  names  were, — 

Calliope  ( Fair-voice ),  who  presided  over  Epic 
Poetry.  She  held  in  her  hand  a roll  of  parchment, 
or  a trumpet. 

Clio  (Illustrious) , presided  over  Plistory.  She 
held  a roll  half  open. 

Melpomene  ( Singing ) was  the  muse  of  Tragedy, 
She  leaned  on  a club,  and  held  a tragic  mask. 

Euterpe  ( Well-pleasing ),  the  patroness  of  Mu- 
sic, held  two  flutes. 


Who  were  the  muses  ? — Describe  the  office  and  appearance 
of  Calliope.  —Clio. — Melpomene. — Euterpe. 


SISTER-GODDESSES. 


E'rato  ( Loving ) presided  over  Love-poetry.  She 
played  on  a nine-stringed  lyre. 

Terpsichore  ( Dance-loving ),  as  muse  of  the 
Dance,  appeared  dancing,  and  holding  a seven- 
stringed lyre. 

Urania  ( Celestial ),  the  Muse  of  Astronomy,  held 
a globe,  and  traced  mathematical  figures  with  a 
wand. 

Thalia  (Gay),  the  Muse  of  Comedy,  held  in  one 
hand  a comic  mask,  in  the  other  a crooked  staff. 

Poly'mnia,  or  Polyhy'mnia,  (Song-full)  presided 
over  Eloquence.  She  held  her  fore-finger  on  her 
lips,  or  carried  a roll. 

The  Muses  are  said  to  have  been  born  in  Pieria, 
at  the  foot  of  Mount  Olympus.  Many  hills  and 
fountains  were  sacred  to  them,  whence  they  de- 
rived appellations.  Thus  they  were  called  Pierides 
from  Pieria,  Libethrides  from  Libethron  a fountain 
in  Macedonia,  Aganippides  from  the  fount  Aga- 
nippe, Castalides  from  that  of  Castalia.  Hippo- 
crene  (Horse-fount),  said  to  have  been  produced 
by  the  hoof  of  the  winged  steed  Pegasus,  was  sa- 
cred to  these  goddesses  ; and  the  mountains  Pin- 
dus,  Helicon,  and  Parnassus,  were  their  favourite 
haunts. 

The  nine  daughters  of  Pierus,  we  are  told,  once 

Erato? — Terpsichore? — Urania? — Thalia? — Polymnia? — What 
places  were  sacred  to  the  muses? 

8 


86 


SISTER  GODDESSES. 


challenged  the  Muses  to  sing.  The  nyn,phs  were 
chosen  judges.  The  challengers  sang  the  war 
of  the  Gods  and  the  Giants.  Calliope  was  ap- 
pointed by  her  sisters  to  reply:  her  theme  was 
the  carrying  off  of  Proserpine  by  Pluto,  and  the 
search  of  Ceres  after  her  through  the  world.  The 
Nymphs  decided  in  favour  of  the  Muses.  The 
vanquished  singers  vented  their  rage  in  abuse,  and 
the  goddesses  turned  them  into  magpies. 

As  the  Muses  were  going  to  their  temple  on 
Parnassus,  a man  named  Pyreneus  invited  them 
to  shelter  in  his  house  from  an  approaching  tem- 
pest. The  goddesses  accepted  the  proffered  hos- 
pitality : and  when  the  storm  was  over,  they  were 
preparing  to  depart.  Their  host  shut  the  doors, 
and  prohibited  their  departure  ; but  the  Muses, 
taking  wing,  flew  from  the  roof ; and  Pyreneus, 
attempting  to  follow  them,  was  dashed  to  pieces. 

Calliope  was  the  mother  of  the  poets  Orpheus 
and  Linus,  and  the  Sirens  were  the  offspring  of 
Melpomene  and  the  river  god-Achelous. 

The  Seasons  or  Hours  were  three  in  number : 
Eunomia  {Good-order) , Dike  {Justice),  and  Irene 
{Peace),  They  were  the  daughters  of  Jupiter  and 
Themis. 

What  is  related'  of  the  Pierides  ? — of  Pyreneus  ? — of  CalliopeJ 
—The  Seasons  or  Hours  ? 


SISTEil -GOD  DESSES. 


87 


These  goddesses  presided  over  the  seasons  of 
he  year  and  the  hours  of  the  day,  and  over  law, 
justice,  and  peace. 

The  Cha'rites  or  Graces  were  goddesses  pre- 
siding over  the  banquet,  the  dance,  and  all  social 
enjoyments  and  elegant  arts.  They  were  three  in 
number,  the  daughters  of  Jupiter  and  Eury'nome 
( Wide  Jaw ) a daughter  of  Oceanus.  Their  names 
were,  Aglaia  ( Splendour ),  Euphrosyne  (Joy),  and 
Thalia  (Pleasure).  They  were  represented  as 
hree  sisters  dancing  together. 

The  Fates  were  also  three  in  number : Clo- 
tho  (Spinster),  Lachesis  (Allotter),  and  A'tropos 
(Unchangeable).  They  were  the  daughters  of 
Jupiter  and  Themis,  or,  as  some  say,  of  Night. 
Their  office  was  to  spin  and  allot  the  destinies  of 
men. 

The  Ilithyi'^e  were  the  daughters  of  Jupiter 
and  Juno.  It  was  their  office  to  aid  women  in  the 
pains  of  labour.  Their  number  is  by  most  writers 
reduced  to  one. 

The  Keres  were  the  daughters  of  Night : they 


The  Graces  ? — The  Fates  ? — The  Ilythinc  ? The  Keres  ? 


68 


SISTER-GODDESSES. 


loved  battles  and  slaughter,  and  used  to  glut  them 
selves  with  the  blood  of  the  slain  and  the  wounded. 

The  Eri'nnyes  or  Furies  were  three  goddesses 
who  sprung  from  the  blood  of  Uranus  when  he  was 
mutilated  by  his  son  Saturn.  Their  names  were 
Alecto  ( Unceasing ),  Megosra  (Envious),  and  Tisi- 
phone  ( Blood-avenger ).  They  punished  by  their 
secret  stings  the  crimes  of  those  men  who  escaped 
or  defied  public  justice.  The  heads  of  the  Furies 
were  wreathed  with  serpents,  and  their  whole  ap- 
pearance was  terrific  and  appalling. 

One  of  the  names  bestowed  on  these  terrible 
goddesses  was  that  of  Eumenides  (Gracious), 
under  which  they  were  worshipped  at  Athens. 
This  title  was  placatory,  and  intended  to  soothe 
them,  and  make  them  mild  towards  the  Athenian 
people. 


The  Erinnyes  ? — Euracnidt*  ? 


THEMIS,  IRIS,  HEBE,  PJEON.  &c. 


6ti 


CHAPTER  XXII. 


Themis,  Iris,  Hebe,  Pjeon,  and  other  Duties. 

Themis  was  one  of  the  daughters  of  Heaven  and 
Earth.  Her  name,  which  signifies  Law , denotes 
her  office.  She  was  one  of  the  wives  of  Jupiter, 
to  whom  she  bore  Peace,  Order,  Justice,  the  Fates, 
and  the  seasons. 

Iris  was  the  daughter  of  Thaumas  ( Wonder ) 
and  Electra  ( Brightness ).  She  was  goddess  of  the 
rainbow,  which  is  called  in  Greek  Iris.  Iris  was 
originally  the  messenger  of  Jupiter ; but  her  office 


Themis  ? — Iris '( 


90  i II  EM  IS  j IRIS,  IIEBE,  PiEON. 

being  afterwards  bestowed  on  Mercury,  she  be- 
came appropriated  to  the  service  of  Juno.  When 
women — as  in  the  case  of  Dido,  who  slew  herself 
after  the  departure  of  iEneas — died  an  untimely 
death,  Iris  released  the  struggling  soul  from  the 
body  by  cutting  off  a lock  of  the  hair. 

Hebe  (Youth)  was  a daughter  of  Jupiter  and 
Juno.  She  handed  round  the  nectar  at  the  feasts 
of  the  gods.  When  Hercules  was  admitted  to  Olym- 
pus, she  became  his  spouse.  Her  office  of  cup- 
bearer fell  to  Ganymedes,  son  of  the  king  of  Troy. 

Pj3on,  a god  of  unknown  origin,  was  the  phy- 
sician of  the  gods  on  Olympus.  His  name  and 
office  were  afterwards  bestowed  on  Apollo. 

Momus,  the  god  of  wit  and  ridicule,  was  the  son 
of  Night  without  a father. 

It  is  said  that  Neptune,  Minerva,  and  Vulcan; 
once  disputed  about  their  respective  powers  as 
artists.  It  was  agreed  that  each  should  produce 
a specimen  of  their  skill,  and  Momus  was  chosen 
judge.  Neptune  then  made  a bull,  Minerva  a 
house,  and  Vulcan  a man.  The  arbiter  declared 
himself  dissatisfied  with  all.  He  said  that  the 


Hebe  ?— Paeon  ? — Momus  ? — Momus’s  judgment  ? 


AND  OTHER  DEITIES. 


91 


horns  of  the  bull  should  ha  e been  set  in  his  fore 
head,  that  he  might  butt  with  the  greater  force ; 
Minerva’s  house  ought  to  have  been  made  move 
able,  so  that  one  might  be  able  to  get  out  of  a bad 
neighbourhood ; as  for  Vulcan,  he  had  shown  the 
greatest  want  of  sense  of  all,  by  not  putting  a win- 
dow in  the  breast  of  his  man,  that  his  thoughts 
might  be  seen. 

Ne  'mesis  was  a daughter  of  Night.  This  god- 
dess distributed  to  men  rewards  and  punishments, 
according  as  their  works  were  good  or  evil.  She 
was  called  Adrastea  ( Inevitable ).  She  was  also 
named  Rhamnusia,  from  Rhamnus  a town  in  Attica^ 
where  she  had  a celebrated  temple. 

Death  and  Sleep  were  twin-brothers,  the  chil- 
dren of  Night. 

When  Alcestis,  the  affectionate  wife  of  Admetus 
king  of  Thessaly,  offered  to  die  instead  of  her  hus- 
band, Death  came  to  his  palace  to  fetch  her  away. 
Apollo  sought  in  vain  to  mollify  him  ; but  Hercules 
pursued  him  and  rescued  his  captive. 

The  abode  of  Sleep  was  placed  near  the  country 
of  the  Kimmerians,  in  a silent  cave,  on  which  the 
beams  of  the  sun  never  shone.  His  chief  minis- 


Nemesis  ? — Death  and  Sleep  ? — Alcestis  X 


92  TIIEMIS,  IRIS,  HEBE,  PJEON,  &c. 

ters  were,  Morpheus  ( Shape ),  who  took  the  form 
of  men  in  dreams ; I'celus  ( Likeness ),  who  took 
that  of  beasts,  birds,  and  other  animals ; and 
Phantasos  ( Appearance ) who  appeared  in  the 
likeness  of  inanimate  objects. 

There  were  two  gates  of  Sleep, — one  of  ivory, 
through  which  the  false  deceptive  dreams  passed  ,* 
the  other  was  of  transparent  horn,  at  which  such 
dreams  as  were  true  came  forth  to'  go  among  men. 


Morpheus  ? — Teelus  ? — Pliantasoe  1 


THE  RURAL  DEITIES. 


*J3 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 


THE  RURAL  DEITIES 

V ? (f . 

Pan,  the  god  who  presided  over  the  country, 
was,  according  to  the  most  ancient  account,  the 
son  of  Mercury  by  an  Arcadian  nymph,  the 
daughter  of  Dryops.  Others  say,  that  as  Pene- 
lope, who  was  afterwards  married  to  Ulysses,  was 
tending,  in  her  youth,  her  father’s  flocks  on  Mount 
Taygetus,  Mercury,  taking  the  form  of  a goat, 
gained  her  love,  and  she  became  the  mother  of 
this  god  of  herdsmen. 


What  is  said  of  Pan  ? 


04 


THE  RURAL  DEITIES. 


Pan  had  goat’s  feet  and  a shaggy  skin  : he  had 
also  goat’s  horns,  with  a wrinkled  face,  a matted 
beard,  and  a flat  nose.  It  is  said  that  when  he 
was  born,  the  nurse  on  beholding  him  fled  away 
in  affright ; but  Mercury,  wrapping  him  up  in  a 
hare-skin,  carried  him  to  Olympus,  where  all  the 
gods  were  delighted  with  him. 

Deficient  as  he  was  in  beauty,  Pan  was  not 
without  his  love-adventures.  He  gained  the  affec- 
tion of  Selena,  the  beautiful  goddess  of  the  night, 
under  the  form  of  a white  ram.  Another  of  his 
loves  was  the  nymph  Echo,  whose  adventure 
with  Narcissus  shall  presently  be  narrated.  The 
nymph  Pitys  also  listened  to  his  love ; and  Bo- 
reas, the  god  of  the  north  wind,  who  was  his 
rival,  blew  the  nymph  down  from  a rock  and 
killed  her.  Pan,  unable  to  save,  changed  her  into 
a Pine-tree — in  Greek,  Pitys. 

As  the  nymph  Syrinx  was  one  day  returning 
from  the  chase,  she  passed  by  Mount  Lyceum. 
Pan  happening  to  see  her,  fell  in  love  with  her. 
The  nymph  fled  from  him ; he  pursued  her  till 
she  found  her  course  impeded  by  the  river  Ladon. 
She  implored  the  aid  of  her  sister-nymphs  ; and 
when  Pan  thought  to  seize  her,  he  found  his  arms 
filled  with  reeds  into  which  she  had  been  changed 

His  appearance  1 — Selena  ? — Echo  ? — Syrinx  ? 


THE  RURAL  DEITIES. 


95 


He  stood  sighing  at  his  disappointment,  when  the 
wind  agitating  the  reeds,  they  made  a low  musical 
sound.*  Pan,  taking  the  hint,  cut  seven  of  them, 
fiom  which  he  made  the  instrument  called  Syrinx 
or  Pandean  pipes. 

Pan  was  the  author  of  what  aie  called  Panic 
terrors . In  this  wray  he  aided  the  Athenians  at 
Marathon,  and  terrified  the  Gauls  when  they  were 
approaching  to  plunder  the  temple  of  Delphi. 

Arcadia  was  the  country  in  which  Pan  was  most 
honoured. 

Sile'nus,  a rural  deity,  was  said  to  be  the  foster- 
father  of  Bacchus,  whom  he  usually  accompanied, 
riding  on  a broad-backed  ass.  He  was  generally 
intoxicated,  and  was  rarely  seen  without  his  can 
( caniharus ) in  his  hand. 

Silenus  was  noted  for  his  wisdom.  We  find  him 
in  Virgil  lecturing  very  learnedly  on  the  origin 
of  the  world.  One  of  his  sayings  has  been  pre- 
served. Being  asked,  we  are  told,  what  was  best 
for  man, — after  musing  some  time,  he  replied, 
“It  is  best  never  to  be  born  ; next  to  that,  to  die 
quickly.” 

Some  Phrygian  shepherds  once  found  Silenus 
in  one  of  his  drunken  fits,  and  brought  him  to 


Panic  terrors  ? — Silenus  ? 


96 


TIIE  RURAL  DEITIES. 


king  Midas,  who  kept  and  entertained  him  for  ten 
days,  and  then  restored  him  to  Bacchus.  The  god 
desired  Midas  to  ask  a reward : the  king,  like 
many  other  fools,  thinking  there  was  nothing  like 
money,  requested  that  whatever  he  touched  might 
be  turned  to  gold.  The  gilt  was  bestowed.  Midas 
laid  his  hand  on  a stone,  it  became  a mass  of  gold ; 
he  touched  the  ears  of  corn,  they  waved  in  golden 
lustre;  he  washed  his  hands,  the  water  became 
like  the  shower  of  gold  in  which  Jupiter  descend- 
ed into  the  bosom  of  Danae.  Midas  was  in  rap- 
tures. But  Midas  sat  down  to  eat,  and  his  teeth 
could  not  penetrate  the  golden  bread  : fish,  flesh, 
and  fowl, — all  was  gold.  He  mingled  some  wine 
and  water,  it  became  pure  aurum  potabile , and 
would  not  discharge  the  vulgar  office  of  quenching 
the  thirst.  In  despair,  he  turned  him  to  the  god, 
acknowledging  his  error,  and  prayed  to  be  relieved 
from  the  ruinous  gift.  Bacchus  took  pity,  and 
directed  him  to  bathe  in  the  river  Pactolus.  He 
bathed,  and  lost  the  power  of  making  gold : the 
river  began  to  roll  over  golden  sands. 

The  Satyrs  were  another  part  of  the  retinue  ol 
Bacchus.  They  were  conceived  to  be  bald,  with 
short  sprouting  horns  like  those  of  kids,  and  goat- 


Midas  and  Silenns? — The  Satyrs? 


THE  RURAL  DEITIES. 


97 


footed.  They  were  of  a lively  frolicsome  dispo- 
sition. 

Pria'pus  was  the  god  who  presided  over  gar- 
dens. He  was  said  to  be  the  son  of  Bacchus  and 
Venus.  Lampsacus,  on  the  Hellespont,  was  the 
chief  seat  of  his  worship.  He  usually  bore  a sickle 
and  a horn  of  plenty,  f f# 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 

The  Nymphs. 

The  Nymphs  were  beautiful  female  deities,  who 
were  supposed  to  inhabit  all  the  regions  of  earth 
and  water.  They  were  divided  into  various  classes, 
according  to  their  abodes  and  their  offices.  Thus 
the  Mountain-nymphs,  or  Oreades,  haunted  the 
mountains  ; the  Dale-nymphs,  or  Napsese,  the  val- 
leys ; the  Mead-nymphs,  or  Limoniades,  the  mea- 
dows ; the  Wood-nymphs  or  Dry'ades,  the  woods ; 
the  Tree-nymphs,  or  Hamadry'ades,  were  born 
and  died  with  the  trees ; the  Flock-nymphs,  or 
Meliades,  watched  over  flocks  of  sheep ; the  Water- 
nymphs,  or  Naiades,  dwelt  in  the  springs  and  rivers , 

Priapus? — The  Nymphs? — Describe  the  different  kinds  of 
Nymphs.  — * 


9 


96 


THE  NYMPHS. 


and  the  Lake-nymphs,  or  Limmades,  frequented 
the  lakes  and  pools. 

The  Nymphs  formed  an  intermediate  class  be- 
tween gods  and  men.  They  were  more  powerful 
than  mortals,  and  less  so  than  the  dwellers  of 
Olympus.  They  often  had  the  charge  of  rearing 
gods  and  heroes,  and  even  Jupiter  himself  was 
nursed  by  them. 

Many  stories  are  told  of  the  Nymphs.  Such  are 
the  following  : 

Arethusa,  a nymph  of  Arcadia,  was  one  day  re* 
turning  from  the  chase.  Coming  to  the  river  Al- 
pheus, she  was  tempted  by  the  appearance  of  its 
cool  translucent  waters  to  bathe  in  it.  While 
she  was  in  the  water  she  heard  a murmuring 
sound,  and  in  terror  sprang  to  land.  The  river- 
god  rose  and  pursued  her.  She  ran  all  through 
Arcadia : as  evening  came  on  she  felt  her  strength 
to  fail,  and  saw  her  pursuer  close  at  her  heels. 
She  prayed  to  Diana  for  aid,  and  was  instantly 
turned  into  a fountain.  Alpheus,  resuming  his 
watery  form,  sought  to  unite  himself  to  her.  Are- 
thusa fled  under  the  land  and  sea,  and  rose  in  the 
isle  of  Orty'gia  near  Sicily.  Alpheus  pursued  her, 
and  rose  in  the  same  place. 

Echo,  another  of  the  nymphs,  was  of  a very  lo- 


What  was  their  rank  ? — Tell  the  story  of  Arethusa. 


THE  NYMPHS. 


99 


quacious  character.  When  Jupiter  had  any  Love- 
affair  on  his  hands,  he  used  to  get  her  to  keep  Juno 
in  conversation.  Juno,  discovering  the  artifice, 
told  the  nymph  that  she  should  in  future  have  but 
little  use  of  her  tongue : and  Echo  in  fact  re- 
tained only  the  power  of  repeating  what  she  heard. 
There  was  a beautiful  youth  named  Narcissus, 
with  whom  every  nymph  or  maiden  who  saw  him 
was  sure  to  fall  in  love.  Echo  beheld  him  one 
time  as  he  was  at  the  chase,  and  she  shared  the 
general  fate.  She  followed  him  wherever  he  went, 
but  was  unable  to  accost  him,  as  she  had  lost  the 
power  of  conversing.  At  length  one  day,  having 
lost  his  comrades  in  a wood,  he  called  out,  Is 
any  one  here  ? Echo  instantly  answered,  Here . 
Come , cried  he  ; Come,  replied  she.  Why  dost  thou 
fly ? Why  dost  thou  fly  ? returned  the  nymph.  Let 
us  meet  here , cried  Narcissus,  and  Echo  joyfully 
repeating  the  words  ran  to  embrace  him.  But 
Narcissus  fled,  and  the  nymph  out  of  shame  and 
grief  pined  away  till  she  became  nothing  but  bones 
and  voice : the  former  the  gods  turned  into  stones 
the  latter  may  still  be  heard  among  the  hills. 

Narcissus  however  suffered  for  his  cruelty  to 
her  and  others.  Happening  to  see  his  own  beau- 
tiful face  in  a clear  fountain,  he  fel1  in  love  with  it, 


Echo  l — Narcissus  ? 


100 


THE  NYMPHS. 


and  pined  away,  unable  to  leave  the  spot.  The 
gods,  in  compassion,  changed  him  into  the  flower 
which  bears  his  name. 

A man  named  Rhoecus  happening  to  see  an  oak- 
tree  ready  to  fall,  directed  his  slaves  to  prop  it  up. 
The  Hamadryad  of  the  oak,  who  had  been  on  the 
point  of  losing  her  existence  with  the  tree,  came 
to  him,  and  expressing  her  gratitude  for  his  kind- 
ness in  thus  preserving  her  life,  bade  him  ask  what 
reward  he  would.  The  mind  of  Rhoecus  was  as- 
piring, and  he  desired  her  love ; the  nymph  readi- 
ly agreed  to  grant  it,  but  she  told  him  he  must 
give  up  the  society  of  all  other  females,  and  de- 
vote himself  to  her  alone.  A bee  was  to  be  her 
messenger  whenever  she  wished  to  see  him.  It 
happened  one  time  that  the  bee  came  when  Rhoecus 
was  deeply  engaged  in  playing  draughts ; and,  oc- 
cupied with  his  game,  he  made  a rude  reply  to  the 
winged  envoy.  The  nymph  was  so  incensed  at 
his  behaviour,  that  she  deprived  him  of  sight. 


Rhoecus  ? 


THE  WATER -DEITIES. 


10J 


CHAPTER  XXY. 

THE  WATER-DEITIES. 

The  Ocea'nides,  or  Ocean-nymphs,  were  three 
tiiousand  in  number;  they  dwelt  with  their  pa- 
rents Oceanus  and  Tethys  in  their  grotto-palace 
beneath  the  waves  of  the  Ocean-stream.  The  best 
known  of  their  names  are  A'sia,  Cly'mene,  Electra, 
Eury'nome,  Metis,  Styx,  and  Doris. 

The  Nere'Ides,  or  Sea-nymphs,  were  fifty  in 
number.  They  were  the  children  of  Nereus  by  the 
Ocean-nymph  Doris.  They  dwelt  in  the  Sea. 
The  principal  Nereides  were  Amphitrite,  who  was 
married  to  Neptune,  and  became  queen  of  the  sea ; 
Thetis,  the  mother  of  Achilles ; and  Galatea,  who 
was  loved,  but  in  vain,  by  the  huge  Cyclops  Poly- 
phemus. 

Nereus,  the  father  of  the  Nereides,  was  one  of 
the  children  of  Earth,  by  her  son  Pontus.  He  was 
distinguished  for  his  wisdom  and  his  love  of  truth, 
and  was  endowed  with  the  gift  of  prophecy. 

Phorcys  was  also  a son  of  Earth  by  Pontus, 


What  is  said  of  the  Ocean-Nyraphs? — The  Nereides  ? — Nere 
as  ? — Phorcys  ? 


102 


THE  WATER-DEITIES. 


He  was  father  of  the  Gorgons,  the  Grace,  Echidna, 
and  the  serpent  which  guarded  the  Golden  Fruit. 

Triton  was  a son  of  Neptune  and  Amphitrite. 
He  was  his  father’s  trumpeter . a conch-shell  was 
his  instrument.  At  the  time  of  Deucalion’s  Flood 
the  waters,  we  are  told,  retired  from  the  land,  when 
by  his  father’s  orders  he  sounded  the  retreat  for 
them. 

Proteus,  another  son  of  Neptune,  had  the  of- 
fice of  keeping  the  seals,  or  sea-calves,  whom  he 
drove  up  every  day  from  the  bottom  of  the  sea  to 
sleep  on  the  rocks  and  shores.  Like  the  marine- 
gods  in  general,  he  was  renowned  for  knowledge 
When  the  nymphs,  to  punish  Aristseus  for  having 
caused  the  death  of  Eurydice,  had  destroyed  all  his 
bees,  Proteus  instructed  him  in  the  best  means  of 
recovering  them.  He  also,  as  we  shall  see  in  the 
sequel,  instructed  Menelaiis  how  to  obtain  a fa- 
vourable wind  for  his  return  to  Greece.  Proteus, 
on  these  occasions,  always  assumed  a variety  of 
forms,  in  order  to  make  his  escape,  if  possible, 
without  giving  the  required  information. 

Glaucus  was  said  to  have  been  originally  a 


Triton  ? — Proteus  ? — Glaucus  ? 


THE  WATER-DEITIES. 


ioy 

fisherman  of  the  town  of  Anthedon  in  Boeotia. 
One  day  he  saw  the  fish  which  he  had  caught  and 
thrown  on  the  grass  bite  it,  and  instantly  jump 
back  into  the  water.  Out  of  curiosity  he  tasted 
the  grass,  and  it  so  affected  him  that  he  followed 
their  example.  On  the  prayer  of  the  sea-gods, 
Oceanus  and  Tethys  made  him  a god  of  the  sea. 

There  was  a beautiful  maiden  named  Scylla, 
who  delighted  in  conversing  on  the  margin  of  the 
sea  with  the  Nereides.  Glaucus  happening  to  see 
her  fell  deeply  in  love ; but  as  Scylla  would  not 
give  ear  to  his  addresses,  he  besought  the  great 
enchantress  Circe  to  exercise  her  magic  art  in  his 
favour.  Circe,  however,  wished  him  to  transfer  his 
affections  to  herself;  and,  filled  with  rage  at  his 
refusal,  she  made  the  innocent  Scylla  her  victim  ; 
for  infecting  the  water,  in  which  she  was  wont  to 
bathe,  with  noxious  juices,  she  turned  her  into 
the  monster  hereafter  to  be  described.  ) 

Leucothea  ( White-goddess ) and  Paljemon 
[Champion),  like  Glaucus,  had  been  mortals.  Ino, 
he  daughter  of  Cadmus,  flying  from  the  rage  of 
her  husband  A'thamas,  with  her  little  son  Melh 
certes  in  her  arms,  sprang  from  a cliff  into  the  sea. 
The  gods  in  pity  made  them  both  deities  of  the 


Scylla  ? — Leucothea  ? — Palcmon  ? 


J 04 


THE  WATER-DEITIES. 


sea,  under  the  above  names.  They  were  invoked 
by  sailors  to  save  them  from  shipwreck. 

The  River-Gods  also  claimed  the  homage  of 
men  for  each  river  had  its  presiding  deity,  who 
dwelt  within  it,  and  directed  its  waters.  These 
gods,  with  their  wives  and  children,  resided  in 
grottos  beneath  the  water.  The  most  celebrated 
of  them  were  I'nachus,  Peneiis,  Alpheus,  and 
Achelous,  whose  own  adventures,  or  those  of  their 
children,  we  have  already  related,  or  shall  relate 
in  the  sequel.  These  deities  were  all  children 
of  Oceanus  and  Tethys. 


CHAPTER  XXVL 
FOREIGN  deities. 

The  preceding  deities,  nearly  all  of  whom  are 
mentioned  in  the  poems  of  Homer  and  Hesiod,  the 
most  ancient  portions  of  Grecian  literature,  may 
he  regarded  as  the  original  objects  of  Grecian 
worship.  But  when  the  Greeks  settled  their  co- 
lonies on  the  coast  of  Asia,  they  found  other  dei- 


The  River-Gods? 


FOREIGN  DEITIES. 


10 f» 

ties,  whom  they  identified  with  some  of  their  own, 
and  whose  worship  they  adopted.  These  were 
Cybele  and  Diana  of  Ephesus. 

Cy'bele,  called  also  the  Great  Mother,  was  a 
peity  worshipped  by  the  Phrygians.  She  was  re- 
garded by  them  as  the  goddess  of  nature  or  of  the 
earth.  Her  temples  stood  on  the  summits  of  hills, 
from  some  of  which,  such  as  Ida,  Dindymene,  and 
Berecynthus,  she  derived  appellations. 

The  worship  of  Cybele,  unlike  that  of  the  Gre- 
cian deities  in  general,  was  what  is  termed  enthu- 
siastic, — that  is,  of  a noisy,  extravagant,  and  wild 
character.  Her  priests,  when  celebrating  it,  ran 
about  yelling  and  howling,  clashing  cymbals, 
beating  on  drums,  and  cutting  themselves  with 
knives. 

Cybele  was  usually  represented  crowned  with 
towers,  and  sitting  in  a chariot  drawn  by  lions : 
she  is  beating  a drum,  or  holds  a sceptre  in  hex 
hand. 

The  Romans,  as  well  as  the  Greeks,  adopted 
the  worship  of  this  goddess.  Under  the  direction 
of  their  Sybilline  books,  and  the  oracle  of  Apollo 
at  Delphi,  they  sent  a solemn  embassy  to  A'ttalus, 
king  of  Pergamus,  to  request  the  statue  of  the 

What  is  said  of  the  foreign  gods  ? — Of  Cybele  ? — Her  appear 
once? 


106 


FOREIGN  DEITIES. 


goddess,  which  was  kept  at  Pessinus.  The  king 
hesitated  to  comply  ; but  Cybele  herself  spoke  in 
audible  tones  from  the  interior  of  her  temple,  de- 
claring that  it  was  her  will  to  depart  and  take  hei 
permanent  abode  in  Rome.  Attalus  feared  to  dis- 
obey  the  goddess  : the  statue  was  embarked  ; and 
the  vessel  which  conveyed  it  safely  reached  the 
mouth  of  the  river  Tiber,  whither  the  senate  and 
people  advanced  to  receive  the  goddess.  The 
ship  was  here  grounded  on  a sand-bank,  and  all 
the  efforts  of  the  people  were  unable  to  move  it. 
There  was  a maiden  of  the  illustrious  family  of 
the  Claudii,  whose  chastity  was  suspected  on  ac- 
count of  the  gaiety  of  her  manners  and  her  dress. 
She  boldly  seized  the  present  occasion  of  appeal- 
ing to  the  goddess  for  her  vindication.  Having 
sprinkled  herself  with  water  from  the  river  and 
prayed  aloud,  she  laid  hold  on  the  rope  at  which 
the  men  had  been  so  long  pulling  in  vain.  The 
ship  was  instantly  in  motion,  amidst  the  joyful 
acclamations  of  the  people.  On  arriving  at  Rome, 
the  statue  of  Cybele  was  committed,  till  a temple 
should  be  erected  for  its  reception,  to  the  care  of 
Scipio  Nasica,  as  being  by  general  consent  the 
best  and  most  virtuous  man  in  the  city. 

The  Greeks  esteemed  Cybele  to  be  the  same 


Tell  the  whole  story  of  the  removal  of  her  statue  to  Rome. 


FOREIGN  DEITIES. 


107 


with  Rhea,  the  spouse  of  their  god  Kronus  (Sa- 
turn). The  Romans  identified  her  with  their  Ops, 
the  female  deity  of  the  earth,  who  was  usually 
joined  with  Saturnus. 

/ 

Diana  of  Ephesus  was  a goddess  of  nature,  like 
Cybele,  or  else  the  moon-goddess  of  the  people  of 
Ephesus.  The  Greeks  considered  her  to  be  the 
same  as  their  own  Artemis  or  Diana.  Her  statue 
was  covered  with  breasts  and  the  heads  of  beasts, 
to  denote  the  fecundity  and  nutritive  power  of  the 
earth. 

Isis  was  an  Egytian  goddess,  similar  to  the 
Demeter  or  Ceres  of  the  Greeks.  She  was  the 
wife  of  Osiris,  the  principal  deity  of  Egypt.  Her 
worship  was  introduced  into  Greece  in  the  time 
of  the  Ptolemies.  $ 


CHAPTER  XXVII. 

ITALIAN  DEITIES. 

Though  the  deities  worshipped  in  Italy  differed 
ill  general  but  little  from  those  of  Greece,  we  yet 


Of  Diana  of  Ephesus. — Of  Isis. 


108 


ITALIAN  DEITIES. 


find  some  beings  adored  by  the  Romans  which 
seem  to  have  been  unknown  to  the  Greeks. 
Such  were  most  of  the  following. 

Janus  was  most  probably  the  Sun  in  the  ancient 
Italian  religion.  By  some  he  was  thought  to  re- 
present the  year.  He  had  two  faces,  and  held  a 
key  in  his  hand.  Doors  ( Januce ) were  sacred  to 
him.  His  temple  at  Rome  was  open  during  war, 
and  shut  in  times  of  peace:  it  is  said  to  have 
been  closed  but  three  times,  so  insatiable  of  wai 
were  the  Romans. 

Vesta,  the  same  as  the  Hestia  of  the  Greeks, 
was  a goddess  presiding  over  the  hearth  or  fire- 
place, the  symbol  of  social  and  domestic  union. 
Her  temple  at  Rome  was  round,  and  within  it 
blazed  a perpetual  fire,  tended  by  six  virgins, 
named  Vestals.  If  they  let  the  fire  go  out,  they 
were  severely  punished,  and  the  flame  was  re 
kindled  by  the  rays  of  the  sun.  There  was  no 
statue  of  this  goddess. 

Quiri'nus  was  a god  of  war,  similar  to  Mars, 
with  whom  he  is  sometimes  identified.  When  the 
fable  was  devised  of  Romulus  having  been  taken 


Of  Janus. — Of  Vesta. — Of  Quirinus. 


ITALIAN  DEITIES 


109 


up  unto  heaven  and  made  a god,  he  was  called 
CJuirinus. 

Bello'na  was  a war-goddess,  like  the  Eny'o  of 
the  Greeks.  Her  priests  used  to  gash  themselves 
with  knives,  and  offer  to  her  the  blood  which  flowed 
from  the  wounds. 

Libiti'na  was  the  goddess  who  presided  over 
funerals.  She  was  by  some  thought  to  be  the  same 
with  Venus, — a goddess  who  differed  very  much 
from  the  Aphrodite  of  the  Greeks. 

Vertumnus,  whose  name  appears  to  come  from 
verto  (to  change),  seems  to  have  been  a god  pre- 
siding over  the  seasons,  or  changes  of  the  year. 
He  is  thought  by  some  to  have  been,  like  Mercury, 
a god  of  commerce. 

Te'rminus  presided  over  boundaries.  His  statue 
was  a rude  stone  or  post  set  in  the  ground  as  a 
land-mark.  When  the  different  chapels  which  oc- 
cupied the  Capitoline  Hill  were  removed  to  make 
room  for  the  splendid  temple  of  Jupiter,  the  con- 
sent of  the  gods  to  whom  they  belonged  was  Sought 
by  the  augurs.  1 erminus  and  Youth  alone  refused 

Of  Bel  Iona  ? — Of  Libitina?— Of  Vertumnus  ? — Of  Terminus? 


10 


110 


ITALIAN  DEITIES 


it.  There  was  always  therefore  an  altar  of  this 
god  on  the  Capitol.  The  roof  of  the  temple  was 
open  over  it. 

Silva'nus  was  the  god  who  presided  over  the 
woods  ; and  Faunus  was  a rural  deity  similar  to 
the  Grecian  Pan. 

Pales  was  the  goddess  of  cattle  and  of  pasturage 
Her  festival,  called  the  Palilia,  was  celebrated  on 
the  21st  of  April,  and  was  regarded  as  the  birth- 
day of  Rome. 

Flora  was  the  goddess  of  flowers.  Her  fes- 
tival, the  Floralia,  was  of  a very  indecorous  cha- 
racter. 

Fero'nia  was  said  to  be  a goddess  of  the  woods. 
There  was  a fountain  sacred  to  her  about  three 
miles  from  Anxur. 

Pomo'na  was  the  goddess  of  fruit  trees.  It  i3 
said  that  she  was  wooed  in  vain  by  all  the  rural 
deities.  At  length  Vertumnus  became  enamoured 
of  her,  and  taking  the  form  of  an  old  woman,  and 
representing  the  advantages  of  the  married  ovei 

Of  Sylvanus  ? — Of  Pales  ? — Of  Flora  ? — Of  Feronia  ? — Of  Po 
Ktona. 


ITALIAN  DEITIES. 


Ill 


the  single  life,  lie  produced  such  a change  in  her 
sentiments,  that  when  he  resumed  his  own  form 
she  responded  to  his  love. 

The  Pena'tes  and  Lakes  were  domestic  dei- 
ties. The  former  presided  over  the  interior  of  the 
house,  where  their  statues  were  placed.  The  sta 
tues  of  the  Lares  stood  on  the  hearth,  where  small 
offerings  were  made  to  them  every  day. 


Of  the  Penates  and  Lares. 


/ 


MYTHOLOGY 


OF 

GREECE  AND  ITALY. 


Part  II.— THE  HEROES. 


CHAPTER  L 

AGES  OF  THE  WORLD. 

The  first  inhabitants  whom  the  gods  placed  on 
the  earth  was  the  Golden  race.  This  was  in  the 
time  when  Saturn  reigned  in  heaven.  Astrsea,  or 
Justice,  lived  familiarly  among  them,  teaching 
them  what  was  right  and  good.  They  enjoyed 
the  greatest  abundance  of  everything;  eternal 
spring  spread  the  earth  with  fruits  and  flowers  for 
them;  and  when  they  died,  they  became  good 
spirits  to  watch  over  mortal  men. 

The  silver  race  next  succeeded.  They  were 
far  inferior  to  the  preceding  one,  but  not  utterly 


Give  an  account  of  the  Golden-race.—  The  silver  race. 


114  AGES  OF  THE  WORLD. 

wicked.  In  their  time  the  division  of  /he  seasons 
took  place.  Justice  did  not  yet  altogether  aban- 
don mankind ; but  she  retired  to  the  mountains* 
whence  she  used  to  come  down  in  the  evenings, 
and  approaching  their  dwellings  upbraid  them 
with  their  evil  doings.  Jupiter,  who  now  had  the 
supremacy  of  Heaven,  destroyed  this  race. 

The  Brazen  race  came  next.  They  fed  on  the 
flesh  of  the  labouring  ox,  and  they  forged  deadly 
arms,  and  earth  now  first  saw  war  and  battles. 
Justice,  wearied  of  their  wickedness,  flew  up  to 
heaven,  and  there  became  the  sign  of  the  Virgin. 
This  race  perished  by  each  other’s  hands,  and  left 
no  fame  behind  them. 

The  Iron  race  was  last.  As  Justice  was  no 
longer  on  earth,  they  were  under  no  restraint,  and 
gave  loose  to  every  species  of  crime.  Incensed 
at  their  wickedness,  Jupiter  destroyed  them  by  a 
flood  of  water. 


CHAPTER  II. 

PANDORA. 

Jupiter,  angry  at  the  theft  of  fire  from  heaven 
committed  by  Prometheus  for  the  sake  of  man- 


The  Brazen  race. — The  Iron  race. — Tell  the  story  of  Pan* 
iora’s  jar. 


PANDORA. 


115 


kind,  resolved  to  give  them  a corresponding  evil 
Hitherto  men  had  lived  happy  and  contented, 
without  any  women  among  them.  All  evils  were 
inclosed  in  a jar  which  stood  in  the  house  occu- 
pied by  Prometheus  ( Forethought ) and  his  brother 
Epimetheus  ( Afterthought ),  who  were  careful 
never  to  raise  the  lid  and  let  them  escape.  This 
blissful  state,  however,  was  not  long  to  continue. 
Jupiter  calling  Vulcan  to  him,  directed  him  to 
take  some  earth  and  knead  it  into  a form  resem- 
bling that  of  the  immortal  goddesses,  and  endow 
it  with  speech.  Minerva  was  desired  to  inspire 
it  with  the  knowledge  of  female  works ; Venus  tc 
bestow  on  it  beauty  and  desire ; and  Mercury  a 
thieving  disposition. 

When  formed  and  endowed  with  these  gifts  of 
the  gods,  the  new  creature  was  named  Pandora 
(All-gift)  ; and  being  attired  by  the  Graces,  and 
crowned  with  flowers  by  the  Seasons,  she  was  led 
by  Mercury  to  the  house  of  Epimetheus.  Though 
warned  by  his  brother  to  be  on  his  guard,  and  to 
receive  no  presents  from  Jupiter,  Epimetheus  could 
not  resist  the  charms  of  Pandora.  He  received 
ner  into  his  house,  and  made  her  his  wife.  The 
jar  soon  caught  the  attention  of  the  bride  : she 
burned  with  curiosity  to  know  its  contents ; she 


Of  Pandora’s  jar  ? 


116 


TAJSDOR  A. 


raised  the  lid,  and  instantly  evils  of  every  species 
flew  forth,  and  spread  over  the  earth.  Terrified  at 
what  she  had  done,  Pandora  clapped  down  the  lid, 
but  only  in  time  to  prevent  the  escape  of  Hope, 
who  thus  remained  in  the  abode  of  men. 

Such  is  the  more  correct  account  of  the  manner 
in  which  Pandora  was  the  introducer  of  evil  into 
the  world.  According  to  the  more  usual  one,  she 
brought  the  evils  from  heaven  with  her,  shut  up 
in  a box.  But  this  last  supposition  has  been  shown 
to  be  clearly  at  variance  with  the  original  narra- 
tive, as  it  is  given  by  the  poet  Hesiod. 

It  is  said,  that  when  Prometheus  stole  the  ce- 
lestial fire  for  the  use  of  mankind,  they  were  so 
ungrateful  as  to  inform  Jupiter  of  the  thefi.  As 
a reward,  the  god  bestowed  on  them  a remedy 
against  old-age.  It  being  summer-time,  and  the 
gift  a little  heavy,  they  put  it  on  the  back  of  an 
ass,  and  let  him  trot  on  before  them.  The  ass 
being  thirsty,  went  up  to  a spring  to  drink ; but 
a snake  who  was  there  refused  to  permit  him  to 
approach  it  unless  he  gave  him  the  burden  which 
be  was  carrying.  The  ass  was  forced  to  comply ; 
and  thus  the  cunning  snake  became  possessed  of 
the  precious  gift  of  Jupiter  : but  by  way  of  punish- 
ment he  got  with  it  the  thirst  of  the  ass.  Hence 

What  is  the  usual  story  of  Pandora? — Of  Promotheus  ? — Of  the, 
snakes  ? 


PANDORA. 


in 


snakes  renew  their  youth  by  casting  their  skins, 
while  men  are  oppressed  with  all  the  evils  of  old 
age : and  the  malignant  snakes,  moreover,  com- 
municate their  thirst  to  men  by  biting  them  when 
ever  they  have  an  opportunity. 


CHAPTER  III. 

DEUCALION  AND  PYRRIIA. 

Deuca'lion,  the  son  of  Prometheus,  who  was 
married  to  Pyrrha  the  daughter  of  Epimetheus  and 
Pandora,  reigned  over  the  southern  part  of  Thes~ 
saly  at  the  time  when  Jupiter  resolved  to  destroy 
mankind  by  a flood.  Warned  by  his  father,  he 
made  an  ark,  and  having  filled  it  with  provisions, 
he  and  his  wife  went  ^nto  it.  The  flood  imme- 
diately came  on ; all  the  land  was  under  water, 
and  the  tops  of  the  highest  mountains  alone  were 
visible.  For  nine  days  and  nights  the  ark  was 
carried  along  by  the  waves : at  length  it  rested 
on  Mount  Parnassus.  The  rain  had  now  ceased 
to  fall,  and  Deucalion  and  his  wife  came  out  of 
their  ark  and  offered  a sacrifice  to  Jupiter.  When 
they  looked  around  and  saw  the  earth  desolate 


Tell  the  story  of  Deucalion  and  Pyrrha. 


118  DEUCALION  AND  PVRR1IA. 

and  devoid  of  inhabitants,  they  were  filled  with 
grief  and  sorrow.  There  was  an  ancient  oracle 
of  the  goddess  Themis  at  that  time  on  Mount 
Parnassus  ; and  thither  they  repaired,  in  the  hope 
of  obtaining  advice  and  consolation.  On  entering 
the  solitary  temple,  and  imploring  the  aid  of  the 
gods,  they  received  the  following  response : — 

“ From  the  fane  depart, 

And  veil  your  heads,  and  loose  your  girded  clothes, 

And  cast  behind  you  your  great  parent’s  bones !” 

Horror-struck  at  the  seeming  impiety  which  the^ 
were  ordered  to  commit,  they  gazed  on  each  other 
in  silence.  At  length  it  occurred  to  Deucalion 
that  it  must  be  stones,  which  may  be  called  the 
bones  of  the  earth,  the  great  parent  of  all,  that 
were  meant  by  the  oracle.  They  therefore  flung 
stones  behind  their  backs ; and  those  cast  by 
Deucalion  became  men,  those  thrown  by  his  wife 
rose  up  women  from  the  ground. 

The  more  distinguished  persons  of  the  race 
which  occupied  Greece  after  the  restoration  of 
mankind  by  Deucalion  and  Pyrrha,  were  named 
by  posterity  the  Heroes.  Our  remaining  pages 
shall  be  devoted  to  the  narrative  of  their  most 
remarkable  deeds  and  adventures. 


Who  were  the  Heroes  ? 


PERSEUS. 


Ill) 


CHAPTER  IV. 


AcrTsius,  one  of  the  ancient  kings  of  Argos,  had 
but  one  child,  a daughter,  named  Danae.  Anxious 
for  male  issue,  he  consulted  the  oracle  of  Apollo : 
the  god  told  him  that  he  himself  should  never  have 
a son,  but  that  he  was  fated  to  perish  by  the  hand 
of  the  son  whom  his  daughter  should  bear. 

To  escape  the  fate  which  menaced  him,  Acri- 
sius  resolved  that  his  daughter  should  never  be- 
come a mother  ; and  having  constructed  a brazen 
subterranean  chamber,  he  shut  her  up  in  it  along 
with  her  nurse.  But  vainly  does  man  seek  to  shun 
his  fate : the  king  of  the  gods  had  become  ena- 
moured of  Danae,  and  under  the  form  of  a shower 
of  gold  he  poured  through  the  roof  of  the  cham- 
ber. The  daughter  of  Acrisius  brought  forth  a 
son,  whom  she  reared  in  her  brazen  dwelling  till 
he  had  attained  his  fourth  year.  At  this  period 
her  father  chanced  one  day  to  hear  the  voice  of 
the  child  at  his  play.  Filled  with  rage,  he  called 
forth  his  daughter  and  her  nurse,  and  putting  the 
latter  instantly  to  death,  drew  the  former  to  the 
altar  of  Jupiter,  and  interrogated  her  on  oath  re* 


Who  were  the  parents  of  Perseus  ? Tell  his  story. 


120 


PERSEUS. 


specting  the  child.  Danae  related  the  whole  truth, 
but  was  unable  to  obtain  credence  with  her  father  * 
and  to  punish  her  for  the  danger  and  dishonoui 
she  had  brought  on  him,  he  inclosed  her  and  her 
innocent  child  in  a coffer,  which  he  cast  into  the 
sea  to  the  mercy  of  the  winds  and  the  waves. 

The  chest  containing  the  mother  and  child  was 
carried  along  the  sea  to  the  little  island  of  Seri- 
phus,  where  a man  named  Dictys,  brother  to  the 
king  of  the  place,  drew  it  out  in  his  nets.  On 
opening  it  he  found  to  his  surprise  Danae  and  her 
son,  whom  he  took  out,  and  treated  with  the  ut- 
most kindness. 

When  Perseus — for  so  the  child  was  named — 
was  grown  up,  Polydectes,  the  brother  of  Dictys, 
having  seen  Danae,  fell  in  love  with  her.  Finding 
in  her  son  an  obstacle  to  his  wishes,  he  planned 
removing  him  from  the  island,  and  if  possible 
preventing  his  return.  Accordingly,  feigning  an 
intention  of  becoming  a suitor  to  Hippodamia, 
daughter  of  (Enomaiis  king  of  Pisa,  whose  hand 
was  to  be  the  reward  of  the  victor  in  a chariot- 
race  with  her  father,  he  invited  his  vassals  to  a 
banquet,  and  there  disclosing  to  them  his  inten- 
tions, asked  them  to  contribute  towards  the  ac- 
complishment of  his  object.  Perseus,  who  was 


Of  Polydectes. — How  did  Perseus  involve  himself  in  a di- 
emma?  — - 


PERSEUS. 


1 21 


present,  asked  what  it  was  he  desired.  On  being 
told  horses,  he  said  he  would  bring  him  even  the 
head  of  the  Gorgon  if  he  desired  it.  Next  day 
each  guest  brought  his  horse : all  the  others  were 
accepted,  but  the  king  insisted  on  Perseus’  fulfil- 
ling his  promise. 

The  Gorgons  were  three  sisters,  daughters  of 
Phorcys  and  Ceto.  They  dwelt  by  the  Ocean- 
stream.  Their  looks  turned  all  who  beheld  them 
to  stone ; and  their  heads  were  covered  with 
snakes. 

Filled  with  terror  and  grief  at  the  prospect  of 
such  a perilous  adventure,  Perseus  retired  to  the 
extremity  of  the  island  to  bemoan  his  hard  fate. 
Here  he  was  met  by  Mercury,  who  bade  him  be 
of  good  courage,  for  that  he  and  Minerva  would 
be  his  guides  and  advisers.  The  young  hero 
therefore  set  forth ; and  Mercury  having  con- 
ducted him  tc  the  coast  of  the  Ocean,  brought 
him  to  the  fair  Grsese,  or  Old  Maids,  sisters  of 
the  Gorgons,  who  were  gray  from  their  births, 
and  had  but  one  eye  and  one  tooth  between  them. 
Perseus,  by  the  direction  of  Mercury,  contrived 
to  get  the  eye  and  tooth  as  they  were  handing 
them  from  one  to  the  other,  and  would  only  re- 
store them  on  condition  of  their  directing  him 


Who  helped  him  out  of  it  X — How  ; 

11 


122 


ERSEUS. 


(which  they  alone  could  do,)  o the  abode  of  /he 
Nymphs  who  possessed  the  winged  shoes,  the  ma- 
gic wallet,  and  the  helmet  of  Pluto,  which  made 
its  wearer  invisible.  The  Grasse  were  obliged  to 
comply ; and  the  Nymphs  readily  agreed  to  lend 
their  precious  possessions  to  the  'protege  of  the 
gods.  Perseus  slung  the  wallet  over  his  shoulder, 
placed  the  helmet  on  his  head,  and  the  shoes  or 
his  feet ; then  mounting  into  the  air,  and  accom- 
panied by  the  protecting  deities,  he  flew  to  where 
the  Gorgons  dwelt.  He  found  the  three  sisters 
lying  fast  asleep  : and  fearing  to  gaze  on  their  petri- 
fying visages,  he  turned  towards  them  the  brilliant 
shield  which  he  bore,  and  looking  on  the  head  of 
Medusa  (the  only  mortal  of  the  sisters,)  as  it  was 
reflected  in  it,  and  Minerva  guiding  his  hand,  he 
cut  it  off  with  the  adamantine  scymitar  which  Mer- 
cury had  given  him.  The  blood  spouted  high 
from  the  body  of  the  slain  Gorgon,  and  with  it 
sprang  forth  the  winged  steed  Pegasus  ( Spring - 
horse) , and  Chrysaor  ( Gold-sivord ),  who  becaroe 
the  father  of  the  three-bodied  Geryon.  The  Gor- 
gons awaking,  pursued  Perseus,  who  was  carrying 
off  the  head  of  their  sister  in  his  wallet,  but  the 
helmet  of  Pluto  enabled  him  to  elude  their  view. 

Perseus  pursued  his  journey  through  the  air 


How  did  he  reach  the  residence  of  the  Gorgons?— What  took 
place  then? — How  did  he  escape? 


PERSEUS. 


123 


till  he  came  to  the  country  of  the  ^Ethiopians, 
where  he  beheld  a beautiful  maiden,  naked,  and 
chained  to  a rock  overhanging  the  sea.  This  was 
Andromeda,  daughter  of  Cepheus  and  Cassiopea, 
king  and  queen  of  the  country.  Vain  of  her  beauty, 
the  ^Ethiopian  queen  had  presumed  to  set  herself 
above  the  Nereides.  The  sea-maidens  complained 
to  Neptune  of  the  insult,  and  he  sent  a huge  sea- 
monster  to  ravage  the  realm  of  Cepheus.  The 
oracle  of  Ammon  being  consulted,  declared  that 
the  evil  was  only  to  be  removed  by  giving  the 
daughter  of  Cassiopea  as  food  to  the  monster. 
The  paternal  affection  of  Cepheus  was  obliged  to 
give  way  to  the  determination  of  his  subjects,  and 
Andromeda  was  exposed  on  a rock.  Perseus  on 
beholding  her  was  smitten  with  love ; and  he 
offered  to  Cepheus  to  attempt  her  deliverance  on 
condition  of  receiving  her  for  his  wife  in  the  event 
of  success.  The  proposal  was  accepted  with  joy ; 
and  the  winged  warrior  engaged  and  slew  the 
monster.  Andromeda  was  cheerfully  bestowed 
upon  him ; but  her  uncle  Phineus,  to  whom  she 
had  been  betrothed,  entering  the  hall  where  the 
wedding-feast  was  held  with  a train  of  warriors, 
attempted  to  destroy  his  triumphant  rival.  Per- 


What  adventure  happened  on  his  way  back  ? — At  the  wed 
iirig  feast  l 


124 


PERSEUS. 


seus  displayed  the  head  of  Medusa,  and  Phineus 
and  his  friends  stiffened  into  stone. 

Perseus  now  proceeded  to  Seriphus,  where  he 
found  that  his  mother  and  Dictys  had  been  obliged 
to  seek  refuge  at  the  altar  from  the  violence  of 
Polydectes.  He  proceeded  to  the  palace,  where 
the  king  and  his  friends  were  assembled  ; and  dis- 
playing the  formidable  Gorgon’s  head,  each  per- 
son present  was  converted  into  a statue.  He  now 
returned  to  Mercury  the  shoes,  the  wallet,  and  the 
helmet,  by  whom  they  were  brought  back  to  the 
Nymphs ; and  he  gave  the  Gorgon’s  head  to  Mi- 
nerva, who  set  it  in  the  middle  of  her  shield. 

Having  made  Dictys  king  over  the  island,  Per- 
seus, taking  with  him  his  mother  and  his  wife,  set 
out  for  Argos.  Acrisius,  fearing  the  fulfilment  of 
the  oracle,  retired  to  Larissa  in  Thessaly,  leaving 
the  throne  to  be  occupied  by  his  grandson.  Some 
time  afterwards,  funeral  games  being  proclaimed 
in  honour  of  the  king  of  Larissa,  Perseus  went 
thither  to  contend  at  them.  As  he  was  throwing 
the  discus,  it  happened  to  fall  on  and  bruise  the 
foot  of  an  old  man  among  the  spectators.  The 
old  man  was  Acrisius,  who  died  of  the  injury ; 
and  thus  Perseus  unwittingly  accomplished  the 


How  did  he  revenge  his  mother’s  wrongs  ? — What  was  the 
ond  of  all  his  adventures  ? 


PERSEUS. 


125 


prediction  of  the  oracle.  Having  buried  his  grand- 
father with  all  due  honour,  he  returned  to  Argos, 
and  thence  removed  to  Tiryns,  where  he  reigned 
many  years,  and  became  the  father  of  a line  of 
princes. 


CHAPTER  V.  ) 

BELLEROPHON. 

A grandson  of  Sisyphus  king  of  Corinth,  named 
Bellerophon,  having  had  the  misfortune  to  kill  one 
of  his  relatives,  fled,  as  was  usual  in  such  cases, 
and  sought  refuge  with  Proetus  king  of  Argos. 
He  was  purified  from  the  guilt  of  the  homicide  by 
his  host,  and  abode  for  some  time  at  his  house. 
Bellerophon  being  handsome,  and  accomplished  in 
all  martial  exercises,  Sthenoboea  the  wife  of  Prcetus 
fixed  her  love  upon  him.  But  the  virtuous  youth 
refusing  to  meet  her  amorous  advances,  her  bosom 
was  filled  with  rage,  and  she  accused  him  to  her 
husband  of  an  attempt  on  her  honour.  The  cre- 
dulous king  gave  ear  to  what  she  said,  and  re- 
solved to  take  vengeance  on  the  ungrateful  stran- 
ger. But  as  Bellerophon  was  his  guest  and  his 
suppliant,  he  feared  to  violate  the  rights  of  hos« 


Who  was  Bellerophon? — What  caused  his  flight  from  Co- 
rinth ? — His  departure  from  Arws  ? 


120 


BELLEROPHON. 


pitality  by  putting  him  to  death.  He  therefore 
sent  him  to  his  father-in-law  Jobates  king  of  Ly- 
cia,  giving  him  sealed  tablets  for  that  monarch,  in 
which  his  wishes  were  expressed. 

Under  the  guidance  of  the  gods,  Bellerophon 
reached  the  banks  of  the  Xanthus  in  Lycia.  The 
king  feasted  him  for  nine  days,  and  slew  an  ox 
each  day.  On  the  tenth  he  asked  to  see  the  tablets 
of  which  he  was  the  bearer.  Finding  that  Proetus 
demanded  the  death  of  his  guest,  he  resolved, 
without  breach  of  hospitality,  to  comply  with  his 
wishes,  and  to  destroy  him  by  engaging  him  in 
perilous  expeditions. 

The  first  task  enjoined  by  the  Lycian  king  was 
to  destroy  the  Chimsera,  a monster  born  of  Typhon 
and  Echidna,  which  had  the  upper  part  of  a lion 
the  lower  of  a serpent,  with  the  body  of  a goat, 
and  belched  forth  flaming  fire.  Bellerophon,  hav- 
ing had  recourse  to  a prophet  named  Polyides 
(Much-knowing)  for  advice,  was  directed  by  him 
to  go  and  sleep  in  the  temple  of  Minerva.  He 
obeyed ; and,  as  he  lay,  the  goddess  appeared  to 
him,  and,  giving  him  a bridle,  directed  him  to  sa- 
crifice a bull  to  Neptune,  and  then  to  repair  to  a 
certain  spring  at  which  the  winged  steed  Pegasus 
was  wont  to  drink,  to  approach  him  boldly,  and 

IIow  did  Jobates  proceed? — How  did  Bellerophon  acccmplisb 
hi*  first  feat  ? 


BELLEROPHON. 


127 


put  the  bridle  on  his  head.  Belierophon  did  as 
desired ; and  mounting  the  steed,  rode  him  through 
the  air,  and  by  his  aid  overcame  the  monster.^ 
Jobates  next  sent  him  to  combat  a people  named 
the  Solymi : these  also  he  vanquished,  though 
with  difficulty.  He  was  then  sent  to  make  w ar  on 
the  race  of  female  warriors  named  Amazons,  over 
whom  he  likewise  proved  victorious.  As  he  was 
returning,  a band  of  Lycian  warriors  fell  on  him 
from  an  ambush,  where  they  had  been  placed ; 
but  not  one  of  them  returned  to  tell  the  tale  of 
the  fight,  for  they  all  fell  by  the  hand  of  the  hero. 
Jobates  perceiving  by  such  evident  signs  that  he 
was  akin  to  the  gods,  gave  him  his  daughter  in 
marriage,  and  shared  with  him  his  royal  dignity. 
Sthenoboea  hearing  of  his  good  fortune,  hung  her- 
self in  rage  and  despair.  Belierophon  lived  for  a 
long  time  happily,  till  at  length  he  conceived  the 
insane  project  of  ascending  to  heaven  by  means 
of  Pegasus.  Jupiter,  incensed  at  his  boldness, 
sent  an  insect  to  sting  the  steed,  who  flung  his  rider 
to  the  earth,  where  he  roamed  in  melancholy  the 
remainder  of  his  life.  The  winged  horse  flew  up 
to  heaven,  where  his  office  was  to  bear  the  thun- 
ders of  Jupiter. 


His  second? — His  third? — How  did  Jobates  reward  him?— 
How  did  he  offend  Jupiter? — What  was  the  consequence  ? 


-28 


HERCULES- 


CHAPTER  VL 


Amphitryon : his  sire  was  the  king  of  the  gods 
His  twin-brother  was  I'phicles  the  son  of  Amphi- 
tryon. The  city  of  Thebes  had  the  honour  of  his 
birth,  as  has  been  already  related. 

Juno,  who  hated  all  the  illegitimate  offspring  of 
her  lord,  determined  to  destroy  the  two  babes  in 
their  cradle.  With  this  design  she  sent  two  mon- 
strous serpents  into  the  chamber  where  they  lay. 


Who  was  Hercules  ? — What  was  his  first  feat  ? 


HEliCULES. 


129 


Alcmena,  terrified  at  the  sight  of  them,  shriekeo 
out  to  her  husband  for  aid.  Iphicles  screamed 
aloud  with  fear,  but  Hercules  raised  himself  up  on 
his  feet,  caught  the  two  monsters  by  the  throat, 
and  strangled  them. 

As  he  grew  up,  Amphitryon  had  him  instructed 
in  the  various  exercises  and  accomplishments  of 
the  heroic  age.  He  himself  taught  him  to  drive 
the  chariot.  The  celebrated  Linus  was  his  master 
of  music;  but  chancing  one  day  to  correct  his 
pupil  rather  severely,  he  was  killed  by  him  with 
a blow  of  the  lyre.  For  this  act  Amphitryon  sent 
him  away  into  the  country,  where  his  flocks  and 
herds  were  feeding;  and  while  here,  the  future 
hero  achieved  his  first  adventure. 

On  Mount  Cithseron  abode  an  enormous  lion, 
who  frequently  fell  upon  and  destroyed  the  herds 
of  Amphitryon  and  of  Thestius  king  of  Thespire. 
Hercules  resolved  to  engage  and  if  possible  de- 
stroy this  formidable  animal ; and  accordingly 
seeking  his  lair  on  the  mountain,  he  attacked,  and 
after  a severe  struggle  succeeded  in  killing  him. 
He  stript  off  his  hide,  which  he  wore  ever  after- 
wards by  way  of  armour,  the  skin  of  the  head 
orming  his  helmet.  The  gods  gave  him  arms  : 
ne  cut  for  himself  a huge  club  in  the  woods. 

Who  were  his  teachers? — What  was  his  feat  on  Mount  Ci- 
diacron 1 


130 


HERCULES. 


Soon  aftei  wards  he  freed  the  Thebans  from  a 
tribute  which  they  paid  to  the  king  of  the  Mi 
nyans,  a neighbouring  people.  As  a reward  for 
this  action  Creon  king  of  Thebes  gave  him  his 
daughter  Megara  in  marriage,  and  he  gave  her 
younger  sister  to  Iphicles.  But  Juno,  still  hostile 
to  the  son  of  Jupiter,  caused  him  to  fall  into  a fit 
of  insanity,  during  which  he  flung  his  own  three 
children,  and  two  of  his  brother  Iphicles’,  into  the 
fire,  where  they  perished.  For  this  deed  he  went 
into  voluntary  exile.  Thestius,  on  his  coming  to 
Thespise,  purified  him,  and  he  then  proceeded  to 
Delphi  to  consult  the  oracle  as  to  what  he  should 
further  do  in  expiation  of  his  guilt.  The  Pythia, 
or  priestess,  directed  him  to  go  to  Tiryns  in  the 
Peloponnesus,  where  he  was  to  serve  king  Eury- 
stheus  for  a space  of  twelve  years,  and  perform 
twelve  tasks  which  should  be  imposed  by  him. 
She  added,  that  after  accomplishing  these  he  would 
be  made  immortal. 

This  service  to  Eurystheus  was  the  accomplish- 
ment of  the  fate  which  had  been  destined  for  the 
son  of  Jupiter  from  his  birth.  On  the  day  on 
which  Alcmena  was  to  give  birth  to  him,  Jupiter 
announced  to  the  gods  that  a man  of  his  race  was 
that  day  to  be  born  who  should  rule  over  all  his 

How  did  he  obtain  his  wife  ? — How  did  he  lose  his  children  ? 
•—How  came  he  in  the  service  of  Eurystheus? 


HERCULES. 


131 


neighbours.  Juno  exacting  from  him  an  oath  that 
it  should  be  so,  went  down  to  Argos,  where  she 
caused  the  premature  delivery  of  the  wife  of 
Sthenelus  the  son  of  Perseus;  and  Eurystheus 
was  born ; while  she  checked  the  parturition  of 
Alcmena.  Hercules  was  therefore  fated  to  be  the 
servant  of  the  son  of  Sthenelus.  (fa 

The  first  task  which  Eurystheus  imposed  on  the 
son  of  Jupiter,  was  to  bring  him  the  skin  of  the 
Nemsean  lion.  This  animal,  the  progeny  of  Ty- 
phon  and  Echidna,  was  of  huge  size  and  strength, 
and  moreover  invulnerable  by  any  weapon.  He 
dwelt  in  a den  of  the  Nemsean  wood  on  the  way 
from  Argos  to  Corinth.  On  reaching  the  wood  the 
hero  sought  his  formidable  enemy,  and  as  soon  as 
he  discovered  him  began  to  ply  him  with  his  ar- 
rows ; but  finding  that  these  took  no  effect,  he 
assailed  him  with  his  club,  and  forced  him  to  fly 
to  his  den,  whither  he  pursued  him.  The  den  was 
pervious,  so  that  escape  was  easy  to  the  lion. 
Hercules  therefore  collecting  stones,  built  up  one 
of  the  entrances,  and  then  going  in  at  the  other 
grasped  the  lion  by  the  throat,  and  held  him  till 
he  was  suffocated.  He  then  placed  the  dead  lion 
on  his  shoulder  and  set  cut  for  Mycense.  Eury- 
stheus  on  seeing  this  convincing  proof  of  his  enor« 

What  was  the  first  labour  or  task  imposed  by  Eurystheus  ?— 
describe  it. 


HERCULES. 


1232 

mous  strength,  was  so  terrified  that  he  prohibited 
his  entrance  m future  into  the  town,  directing  that 
he  should  announce  the  accomplishment  of  his 
tasks  before  the  gates.  His  terror  of  the  hero  was 
so  great,  that  he  had  a brazen  vessel  made,  in 
which  he  used  to  conceal  himself  under  ground, 
while  his  herald  Copreus,  the  son  of  Pelops,  set 
him  his  tasks. 

The  second  task  imposed  by  Eurystheus  was  to 
destroy  the  Hydra  or  Water-snake  which  infested 
the  marsh  of  Lerna,  whence  she  used  to  come  forth 
on  the  land  and  ravage  the  country,  and  destroy 
the  cattle.  This  monster  had  a huge  body  with 
nine  heads,  eight  of  which  were  mortal ; but  the 
ninth,  which  was  in  the  middle,  was  immortal. 
Hercules  mounted  his  chariot,  which  was  driven 
by  his  nephew  Iolaiis  the  son  of  Iphicles,  and 
proceeded  towards  Lerna.  On  arriving  there  he 
dismounted,  and  went  in  quest  of  the  hydra,  which 
he  found  on  a rising  ground  near  the  spring  of 
Amymone,  where  her  hole  was.  He  shot  fiery 
arrows  into  the  cavern  until  he  made  her  come  out ; 
and  he  then  grasped  and  held  her  fast.  She  twined 
her  tail  round  his  legs,  and  a huge  crab  which 
aided  her  kept  biting  at  his  feet.  Hercules  killed 
he  crab,  and  crushed  several  of  the  heads  of  the 


What  was  the  second  task  ? — How  was  it  accomplished  ? 


HERCULES. 


1 3o 


hydra  with  his  club  ; but  to  no  purpose,  for  as  fast 
as  one  was  crushed  two  others  sprang  up  in  its 
stead.  Seeing  no  end  to  his  toil,  he  called  his 
charioteer  Iolaiis  to  his  assistance.  Iolaus  imme- 
diately set  fire  to  the  neighbouring  wood,  and  with 
the  flaming  brands  searing  the  necks  of  the  hy- 
dra as  the  heads  were  cut  off,  effectually  checked 
their  growth.  Hercules  then  cut  off  the  immortal 
head,  which  he  buried  under  a large  stone.  The 
body  of  the  hydra  he  cut  in  pieces,  and  he  dipped 
his  arrows  in  her  poisonous  gall.  When  the  ad- 
venture was  narrated  to  Eurystheus,  he  refused  to 
allow  this  task  to  be  reckoned  as  one  of  the  twelve, 
alleging  that  Hercules  had  not  succeeded  m 
destroying  the  hydra  without  the  assistance  of 
Iolaus. 

The  third  task,  was  to  catch  and  bring  alive  to 
Mycenae  the  horned  hind,  an  animal  sacred  to 
Diana,  which  had  horns  of  gold,  and  was  of  sur- 
passing fleetness.  During  the  space  of  an  entire 
year  the  hero  pursued  her  through  the  hills  and 
dales  of  Arcadia.  At  length  he  had  nearly  tired 
her  out ; and  as  she  was  crossing  the  river  Landon 
he  struck  her  with  an  arrow,  which  so  impeded 
her  flight  that  he  came  up  with  and  caught  her. 
He  flung  her  over  his  shoulder,  and  was  proceed- 


What  was  the  third  task  ? — How  was  it  done  ? 
12 


134 


HERCULES. 


mg  towards  Mycenae  with  his  burden  when  lit 
met  Diana  and  her  brother  Apollo.  The  goddess, 
incensed  at  seeing  her  sacred  animal  treated  in 
such  a manner,  took  her  from  him,  and  reproached 
him  severely  with  his  conduct : but  Hercules  ex- 
cusing himself  on  the  plea  of  necessity,  Diana  was 
mollified,  and  allowed  him  to  carry  his  prize  to 
Mycenae  and  exhibit  it  to  Eurystheus. 

As  a fourth  task,  the  hero  was  to  bring  to  Eu- 
rystheus the  Erymanthian  boar,  also  alive.  This 
animal  haunted  Mount  Erymanthus,  and  ravaged 
the  surrounding  country.  On  his  way  thither  Her- 
cules was  entertained  in  his  cavern  by  Pholus,  one 
of  the  Centaurs.  After  making  an  abundant  re- 
past,— for  Hercules  had  an  appetite  in  proportion 
to  his  strength, — he  asked  his  host  if  he  could  sup- 
ply him  with  wine.  Pholus  said  that  he  had  but 
one  jar,  which  being  the  common  property  of  the 
Centaurs  he  feared  to  open ; but  Hercules  urged 
him,  till  at  length  he  overcame  his  fears  and  un- 
closed the  vessel.  The  fragrant  smell  of  the  wine 
immediately  spread  over  the  mountain,  and  the 
Centaurs  were  soon  seen  hastening  to  the  cave  of 
Pholus,  armed  with  stones  and  pine-sticks.  The 
first  two  who  entered  were  driven  back  by  Her- 
cules with  the  burning  brands  which  he  snatched 


What  was  the  fourth  task  ? — Describe  it 


HEROD  LES. 


1 3^7 

up  from  the  hearth.  Then  seizing  his  bow  and 
arrows  he  shot  at  them,  killing  some  and  wounding 
others,  till  he  had  put  them  to  flight.  They  sought 
refuge  at  Malea,  where  Chiron  the  Centaur,  the 
son  of  Saturn  and  the  nymph  Phillyra,  dwelt.  The 
hero,  however,  pursued,  and  still  plied  them  with 
his  arrows.  Unfortunately  one  of  the  poisoned 
darts,  having  gone  through  the  arm  of  a Centaur, 
wounded  Chiron  in  the  knee.  All  remedies  were 
in  vain,  and  retiring  to  his  cave  he  lay  groaning 
with  agony,  and  wishing  in  vain  to  die, — for  as  the 
offspring  of  the  gods  he  was  immortal.  Returning 
to  Pholoe,  Hercules  found  his  host  also  lying  among 
the  dead ; for  Pholus  having  drawn  an  arrow  out 
of  one  of  the  slain  Centaurs,  let  it  fall  on  his  foot, 
and  died  instantly  of  the  wound.  The  hero  buried 
him,  and  then  set  forth  to  hunt  the  boar.  He 
roused  him  from  his  lair,  and  pursuing  him  with 
loud  shouts,  drove  him  into  a snow-drift,  where 
he  caught  and  bound  him,  and  then  carried  him 
to  MycensB. 

The  Centaurs  thus  destroyed  by  Hercules  were 
a savage  race,  the  offspring  of  Ixion  by  the  cloud 
which  Jupiter  had  sent  to  him  in  place  of  Juno. 
Their  upper  parts  were  those  of  a man,  their  lower 
those  or  a horse.  They  had  originally  dwelt  on 


What  is  said  of  the  CentaurB  ? 


HERCULES. 


Mount  Pelion  in  Thessaly,  but  being  invited  to 
the  wedding  of  Pirithoiis,  prince  of  their  neigh' 
hours  the  Lapithse,  they  had,  when  heated  with 
wine,  attempted  to  offer  violence  to  the  bride. 
.Several  of  them  were  slain,  and  the  rest  driven 
from  Pelion. 

For  his  ffth  task,  Hercules  was  ordered  to  clean 
out  in  one  day  the  stables  of  Augeas  king  of  Elis. 
This  prince,  who  was  son  to  the  Sun-god,  exceeded 
all  the  men  of  his  time  in  the  number  of  his  flocks 
and  herds,  and  many  years  had  passed  since  his 
stables  had  been  cleansed.  Hercules  on  arriving 
at  Elis  offered,  if  the  king  would  give  him  a tentli 
of  his  herds,  to  clean  out  all  his  stables  in  one  day. 
Augeas  thinking  the  thing  impossible  readily  as- 
sented, and  his  son  Phyleus  witnessed  the  agree- 
ment. Hercules  then  broke  down  a part  of  the 
stable  wall,  and  turning  in  the  rivers  Peneiis  and 
Alpheus,  swept  away  all  the  collected  filth  before 
evening.  But  Augeas  refused  to  stand  to  his  agree- 
ment ; and  when  his  son  Phyleus  honestly  bore 
testimony  in  favour  of  Hercules,  he  drove  him  out 
of  the  country.  Eurystheus  also  refused  to  al- 
low for  this  task,  alleging  that  it  had  been  done 

for^hire\  . . . 

The  sixth  task,  was  to  drive  away  the  birds  wh’ch 

What  was  the  fifth  task  of  Hercules  ? — Describe  it. — Tbf* 
suth  ? — Describe  it. 


HERCULES. 


137 


haunted  lake  Stymphalis  in  Arcadia,  whither  they 
nad  fled  to  seek  refuge  from  the  wolves.  The  lake 
!ay  embosomed  in  woods,  and  the  hero  knew 
not  how  he  should  get  within  reach  of  the  birds. 
While  he  stood  deliberating,  Minerva,  his  pro- 
tectress, brought  him  a pair  of  brazen  clappers 
made  by  Vulcan.  He  took  his  stand  under  a neigh- 
bouring hill  and  rattled  them : the  birds  terrified 
at  the  unusual  sound  rose,  and  when  they  were  on 
the  wing  he  shot  them  with  his  arrows. 

All  the  difficulties  which  the  Peloponnesus  af- 
forded being  thus  overcome,  the  hero  was  enjoined 
for  his  seventh  task,  to  fetch  to  Mycenae  the  Cre- 
tan bull.  This  animal  had  been  sent  up  out  of 
the  sea  by  Neptune  at  the  desire  of  Minos  king 
of  Crete ; but  when  Minos  neglected  to  sacrifice 
it,  as  he  had  vowed,  Neptune  caused  it  to  run 
wild.  Minos  gave  Hercules  permission  to  catch 
the  bull  if  he  could ; and  the  animal  was  soon  on 
ship-board  and  conveyed  to  Eurystheus,  who  turned 
him  loose : he  roamed  on  to  Attica,  where  he  fixed 
himself  at  Marathon,  and  became  the  plague  of 
the  country. 

His  eighth  task,  was  to  bring  to  Mycenae  the 
mares  of  Diomedes,  king  of  the  Bistonians  in 
Thrace.  Tnese  mares  devoured  human  flesh,  and 


Tho  seventh  ? — Describe  it. — The  eighth  ? — Describe  it. 


138 


HERCULES. 


were  exceedingly  fierce.  Hercules  collected  a 
band  of  volunteers,  and  sailed  to  Thrace ; and 
having  overcome  the  grooms  of  Diomedes,  and 
the  Bistonians  who  came  to  their  aid,  carried  off 
the  mares.  Eurystheus,  having  seen  them,  turn- 
ed them  loose ; and  they  strayed  on  to  Mount 
Olympus,  where  they  were  devoured  by  the  wild 
beasts. 

To  procure  for  the  daughter  of  Eurystheus  the 
belt  of  Hippolyta  queen  of  the  Amazons  was  the 
ninth  task  assigned  by  that  prince.  The  Amazons 
were  a nation  of  female  warriors  who  dwelt  on  the 
banks  of  the  river  Thermodon,  near  the  Black  Sea ; 
and  allowed  no  men  to  live  among  them.  They 
reared  only  female  children,  and  cut  off  their  right 
breasts  that  they  might  not  impede  them  in  draw- 
ing the  bow-string.  When  Hercules,  and  the  heroes 
who  accompanied  him,  arrived  at  the  mouth  of  the 
Thermodon,  Hippolyta  came  down  to  the  port  to 
inquire  the  cause  of  their  appearance ; and  it  being 
explained  to  her,  she  readily  consented  to  give  her 
belt.  But  Juno,  taking  the  form  of  an  Amazon, 
persuaded  the  others  that  the  strangers  were  car- 
rving  off  their  queen.  They  mounted  their  horses, 
and  came  down  in  arms  to  the  port : a battle  en- 
sued, in  which  the  Amazons  were  worsted ; and 


The  ninth  ? — Describe  it 


HERCULES. 


139 


Hercules,  suspecting  treachery  on  the  part  of 
Hippolyta,  slew  her,  and  sailed  away  with  her 
girdle. 

On  his  return  ne  passed  by  Troy,  whose  king, 
Laomedon*  he  found  in  great  affliction ; for  having 
agreed  with  Neptune  and  Apollo  to  build  a wall 
round  his  town,  when  the  work  was  completed  he 
refused  to  pay  them.  To  punish  nim,  Apollo  sent 
a pestilence,  and  Neptune  a huge  sea-monster, 
which  carried  off  the  people.  The  oracle  being 
consulted,  declared  that  the  plague  would  never 
cease  till  Laomedon  had  given  his  daughter  He- 
sione  for  food  to  the  monster.  The  hapless  prin- 
sess  had  just  been  exposed  on  a rock  when  Her- 
cules arrived.  He  offered  to  deliver  her  on  con- 
dition of  receiving  from  Laomedon  the  horses 
which  Jupiter  had  given  to*  his  grandfather  Tros. 
The  king  consented  : Hercules  killed  the  monster  v 
but  Laomedon  broke  his  word,  and  the  hero  de- 
parted vowing  vengeance.  — 

The  tenth  task  of  Hercules,  was  to  cross  the 
Ocean-stream  and  bring  from  the  isle  of  Erythea 
{Ruddy -isle)  the  purple  oxen  of  Geryon  the  son 
of  Chrysaor  {Gold-stoord),  and  the  ocean-nymph 
Callirrhoe  {Fair -flowing),  who  had  the  bodies  of 
three  men  which  were  united  above  and  divided 


How  did  he  serve  Laomedon? — What  was  his  reward?— 
What  was  t^e  tenth  task?- -How  was  it  accomplished  ? 


140 


HERCULES. 


below.  Geryon  had  also  the  strength  of  thm 
men  of  mortal  birth. 

When  Hercules  was  come  to  the  extremities  of 
Europe  and  Africa  he  set  up  two  pillars,  one  on 
each  side  of  the  strait.  Being  here  greatly  an- 
lioyed  by  the  heat  of  the  sun,  he  shot  his  arrows 
against  the  Sun-god,  who  admiring  his  courage 
lent  him  his  golden  cup  to  cross  the  Ocean-stream. 
As  he  was  passing  over,  Oceanus  rose,  and  agita- 
ting his  waters  and  tossing  the  cup,  endeavoured 
to  frighten  him  and  make  him  return.  But  the 
hero  bent  his  bow  at  him,  and  he  retired  in  terror. 
It  being  evening  when  he  arrived  at  Erythea,  he 
passed  the  night  on  a hill  called  Mount  Abas. 
Next  morning,  on  his  attempting  to  drive  off  the 
cattle,  he  was  furiously  attacked  by  Geryon’s  dog 
Orthrus : the  herdsman  Eury'tion  came  to  the 
assistance  of  his  dog,  Dut  both  were  slain  by  the 
hero,  who  drove  off  the  purple  oxen.  Geryon 
having  been  informed  by  Pluto’s  herdsman  of  what 
had  taken  place,  pursued  the  robber,  and  came  up 
with  him  as  he  was  driving  the  cattle  along  the 
banks  of  the  river  A'nthemus  ( Flowery ),  where 
attacking  him  he  was  slain  by  his  arrows.  Her- 
cules then  placing  the  oxen  in  the  cup,  sailed  with 
them  over  to  Tartessus,  where  he  returned  his 

What  did  ho  set  up  at  Gibraltar? — What  feat  did  he  perform 
there? — What  difficulties  did  he  encountci  ? — IIovv  did  he  get 
the  oxen? — How  did  he  ferry  them  over  the  river  ? 


HERCULES. 


141 


vessel  to  the  Sun-god.  He  drove  his  cattle  through 
Spain  and  Italy,  and  at  length  delivered  them  tc 
Eurystheus. 

The  eleventh  task,  was  to  fetch  the  apples  of  the 
Hesperides,  which  grew  in  the  country  of  the 
Hyperboreans,  where  they  were  guarded  by  an 
enormous  serpent,  and  by  the  Hesperides  (West- 
ern Maids),  the  daughters  of  Atlas.  These  apples 
were  of  gold ; they  had  been  given  by  Earth  to 
Tuno  on  her  wedding-day. 

Hercules,  uncertain  in  what  country  the  golden 
apples  were  to  be  found,  roamed  on  till  he  came 
to  the  river  Eridanus,  where  he  met  the  nymphs, 
who  were  the  daughters  of  Jupiter  and  Themis. 
By  them  he  was  directed  to  the  sea-god  Nereus, 
and  told  how  to  proceed  in  order  to  obtain  an  an* 
swer  from  him.  He  found  Nereus  asleep,  and 
bound  him  as  he  lay.  On  awaking,  the  Sea-god 
changed  himself  into  a variety  of  forms  ; but  Hei  - 
cules  held  him  fast,  and  would  not  let  him  go  till 
he  had  told  him  where  the  apples  were.  His  journey 
lay  through  Libya  (Africa),  and  as  he  was  pur- 
suing it  he  came  to  the  country  over  which  An- 
taeus, a son  of  Neptune  and  Earth,  reigned.  He 
was  challenged  to  wrestle  by  Antaeus,  whom  he 
threw  several  times  ; till  finding  that  he  rose  each 


What  countries  did  he  go  through  ? — What  was  the  eleventh 
cask  ? — Describe  its  accomplishment. 


142 


HERCULES. 


time  from  the  ground  with  renewed  vigour  (reuo 
vated  by  the  touch  of  his  mother),  he  held  him  in 
his  arms  and  squeezed  him  to  death. 

He  came  next  to  Egypt,  where  a king  named 
Eusiris,  who  sacrificed  all  strangers  that  arrived 
in  the  country,  then  reigned.  Hercules  let  him- 
self be  seized  and  led  to  the  altar;  then  bursting 
the  cords  which  held  him,  he  slew  Busiris,  his  son, 
and  his  herald. 

In  Arabia  he  killed  iEmathion  the  son  of  Au- 
rora and  Tithonus  ; and  coming  to  the  eastern  ex 
tremity  of  Libya  the  Sun-god  again  lent  him  his 
radiant  cup,  in  which  he  sailed  to  where  Prome- 
theus lay  chained  on  the  rock.  He  shot  with  his 
arrows  the  vulture  which  preyed  on  the  Titan’s 
liver,  and  set  him  at  liberty.  At  length  he  arrived 
at  the  country  of  the  Hyperboreans ; and  by  the 
advice  of  Prometheus  he  went  to  Atlas,  and  offered 
to  support  the  heavens  for  him  if  he  would  go  and 
pluck  the  apples.  Atlas  did  as  required  ; and  Her- 
cules then  pretending  that  he  wanted  to  make  a 
pad  to  put  on  his  head,  Atlas  threw  down  the 
apples  and  resumed  his  burden.  The  hero  picked 
up  the  apples  and  went  away.  Eurystheus  having 
seen  them,  gave  them  back  to  him,  and  he  pre- 
sented them  to  Minerva. 

The  twelfth  and  last  task,  was  to  bring  to  the 
light  Cerberus  the  dog  of  Pluto.  Before  under* 


HERCULES. 


143 


taking  this  most  perilous  adventure,  Hercules 
went  to  Eleusis,  and  was  initiated  in  the  mysteries 
by  Eumolpus.  He  then  proceeded  to  Tee  narum 
in  Laconia,  where  there  was  an  entrance  to  the 
under-world,  and  went  down.  At  the  sight  of  him 
all  the  shades  fled  away  in  terror.  Arrived  at  the 
gate  of  Pluto’s  palace,  he  found  Theseus  and  his 
friend  Pirithoiis  sitting  on  the  enchanted  rock, 
where  they  had  been  placed  by  Pluto.  They  im- 
plored his  aid,  and  he  took  Theseus  by  the  hand 
and  raised  him  up ; but  when  he  would  do  the  same 
for  his  friend,  the  earth  quaked,  and  he  left  him. 

As  it  was  requisite  that  he  should  give  the 
shades  blood  to  drink,  he  killed  one  of  Pluto’s 
oxen  for  that  purpose.  Menoetius  their  keeper 
immediately  began  to  wrestle  with  him ; but  Her- 
cules flung  him  and  broke  his  ribs,  and  would  have 
killed  him  but  for  the  entreaties  of  Proserpine. 
Pluto  then  gave  him  leave  to  take  Cerberus  if  he 
could  without  wounding  or  injuring  him  ; and  the 
heio,  grasping  him  in  his  arms,  carried  him  after 
a long  struggle  to  the  upper- world.  After  having 
6hown  the  dog  to  Eurystheus,  he  brought  him 
back  to  his  master. 

His  tasks  being  all  accomplished,  he  now  re- 
turned to  Thebes.  But  soon  afterwards  he  again 


What  was  the  twelfth  task  ? — Plow  was  it  accomplished  ? 


; 

144  HERCULES 

fell  into  madness,  and  m a paioxysm  killed  one 
of  his  friends  named  I'phitus.  Being  seized  with 
sickness  in  consequence  of  this  deed,  he  consulted 
the  oracle,  and  was  told  that  it  could  only  be  re- 
moved by  his  suffering  himself  to  be  sold  as  a 
slave  for  three  years.  Accordingly  Mercury,  lead- 
ing him  to  Lydia,  sold  him  to  O'mphale,  queen 
of  that  country.  It  is  said  that  the  Lydian  queen 
clad  her  illustrious  slave  in  female  habiliments, 
and  set  him  to  spin  with  the  distaff  and  spindle, 
while  she  arrayed  herself  in  the  lion’s  skin  and 
carried  the  club. 

After  the  expiration  of  his  servitude  he  col- 
lected a fleet,  and  took  his  long-threatened  ven- 
geance on  Laomedon  king  of  Troy.  He  took  ihe 
town,  killed  the  king  and  all  his  sons  but  Priam, 
and  gave  Hesione  to  his  comrade  Telamon.  Shortly 
afterwards  he  took  a similar  vengeance  on  Au^eas 
king  of  Elis,  and  set  his  friend  Phyleus  on  me 
throne. 

Hercules,  after  his  expedition  to  Troy,  went,  at 
the  call  of  Minerva,  to  aid  the  Gods  in  their  pe- 
rilous conflict  with  the  Giants  on  the  plain  of 
Phlegra  (Burning). 

Earth,  it  is  said,  incensed  at  the  defeat  of  the 
Titans,  brought  forth  the  Giants.  They  were  of 

How  came  he  to  be  a slave? — How  was  he  treated? — IIow 
did  he  treat  Laomedon  and  Augeas  ? 


HERCULES. 


145 


enormous  size,  with  terrific  visages,  and  snake- 
feet.  In  the  battle  they  hurled  huge  rocks  and 
burning  trees  against  heaven.  The  gods  believing 
that  they  could  not  destroy  them  without  the  aid 
of  a mortal,  Jupiter  summoned  Hercules  to  his 
assistance.  The  hero  slew  Halcy'oneus,  the  great- 
est of  the  Giants,  with  his  arrows,  and  dispatched 
the  others  as  fast  as  they  were  wounded  by  the 
Gods.  The  Giants  were  put  to  flight ; and  as  En- 
eeladus,  one  of  the  principal  among  them,  was  fly- 
ing, Minerva  flung  the  isle  of  Sicily  atop  of  him. 

But  Earth  now  mingled  with  Tartarus,  and  pro- 
duced the  monstrous  Typhon,  the  direst  of  her 
offspring.  His  stature  reached  the  stars ; with 
one  hand  he  touched  the  East,  with  the  other  the 
West  ,*  his  feet  were  snakes ; feathers  covered  his 
body ; his  hair  and  beard  streamed  in  the  blast  * 
fire  flashed  from  his  eyes.  The  Gods  in  dismay 
fled  into  Egypt,  and  concealed  themselves  under 
the  forms  of  various  animals.  Jupiter  however 
at  length  vanquished  the  monster,  and  whelmed 
him  beneath  Mount  iEtna,  which  thenceforth 
emitted  flames. 

Hearing  of  the  beauty  of  Deianeira,  daughter  of 
CEneus  king  of  Calydon,  Hercules  resolved  to  seek 
her  hand.  His  rival  wTas  the  river-god  Acheioiis, 

Describe  his  battle^  \vith  the  Giants. — Who  conquered  Ty 
'Aon  ? — Describe  him. — Tell  the  story  of  Deianeira  and  Aeheloua 
13 


i 46  HERCULES. 

witli  whom  he  was  to  contend  for  the  maiden.  In 
the  combat  between  them,  Achelous  changed  him- 
self into  a variety  of  forms ; and  while  he  was 
under  that  of  a bull,  the  hero  tore  off  one  of  his 
horns,  and  he  had  to  redeem  it  by  giving  him  that 
of  Amalthea,  called  the  Horn  of  Plenty,  which 
produced  everything  that  its  owner  desired. 

As  he  was  departing  from  Calydon  with  his 
bride,  he  came  to  the  river  Evenus,  which  was 
deep  and  rapid.  The  Centaur  Nessus,  who  had 
taken  up  his  abode  there,  and  used  to  carry  people 
across,  offered  to  take  Deianeira  over.  Hercules 
consented : but  when  he  had  reached  the  other 
side  he  heard  the  screams  of  his  wife,  to  whom 
the  Centaur  was  offering  violence.  He  drew  his 
bow,  and  shot  Nessus ; who,  when  dying,  told 
Deianeira  to  keep  the  blood  which  flowed  from 
his  wound,  as  a charm  by  which  she  could  always 
recover  the  affection  of  her  husband. 

Hercules  had  long  meditated  vengeance  on  Eu- 
rytus  king  of  CEchalia,  who  had  refused  to  give 
him  his  daughter  Tola  after  he  had  won  her  by 
shooting  with  the  bow  He  now  collected  an 
army  and  invaded  his  country.  Eurytus  and  his 
sons  were  slain,  and  Iola  made  a captive.  Wish- 
ing to  offer  a sacrifice,  he  sent  to  his  wife  for  a 

What  happened  at  the  river  Evenus? — How  did  Hercules 
treat  Eurytus 


HERCULES. 


147 


splendid  robe  to  wear ; and  De'ianeira,  hearing  of 
the  beauty  of  Iola,  tinged  the  tunic  which  she 
sent  with  the  blood  of  Nessus.  Hercules  arrayed 
himself,  and  prepared  to  sacrifice ; but  as  the  tunic 
warmed,  the  effect  of  the  hydra’s  blood  began  to 
appear.  He  endeavoured  to  tear  it  off,  but  the 
flesh  came  with  it.  In  his  rage  he  seized  Lichas, 
who  had  brought  it  to  him,  by  the  foot,  and  flung 
him  into  the  sea.  Finding  death  inevitable,  he 
caused  himself  to  be  conveyed  from  the  isle  of 
Euboea,  where  he  then  was,  over  to  Mount  (Eta. 
De'ianeira,  when  she  perceived  what  she  had  done, 
hanged  herself;  and  the  hero,  causing  a pyre  to 
be  constructed,  lay  down  upon  it,  and  desired  his 
friends  to  set  fire  to  it.  All  refused  to  obey  ; but 
Pceas,  the  father  of  Philoctetes,  happening  to  come 
that  way  in  search  of  his  cattle,  did  as  Hercules 
desired,  and  received  his  bow  and  arrows  as  a re- 
ward. While  the  pyre  was  flaming,  a thunder- 
cloud conveyed  the  sufferer  to  heaven,  where  he 
was  endowed  with  immortality,  and  espoused  Hebe 
the  daughter  of  Juno,  who  was  at  length  recon- 
ciled to  him. 


Describe  tire  death  of  Hercules 


US 


THESEUS. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

THESEUS. 

Theseus  was  the  son  of  ^Egeus  king  of  Athens, 
by  ^Ethra  daughter  of  Pittheus  king  of  Troezene 
When  taking  leave  of  iEthra,  Aegeus  put  his  sword 
and  shoes  under  a large  stone,  and  told  her  if  her 
child  should  be  a boy,  to  send  him  to  Athens  as 
soon  as  he  was  able  to  raise  the  stone  and  take 
them  from  under  it. 

When  Theseus  had  nearly  attained  manhood, 
his  mother  led  him  to  the  stone,  and  he  lifted  it 
with  ease.  He  was  now  to  set  out  for  Athens ; 
and  his  grandfather  counselled  him,  as  the  land- 
journey  was  dangerous,  to  go  by  sea;  but  the 
young  hero  was  not  to  be  daunted  by  perils,  and 
he  persisted  in  going  by  land. 

The  first  danger  he  encountered  was  at  Epidau- 
rus,  where  a man  called  from  his  weapon  the  Club- 
bearer  resided : he  was  the  terror  of  all  passen- 
gers, as  he  lived  by  robbery.  Seeing  Theseus 
approach,  he  advanced  to  attack  him : but  he  fell 
beneath  the  blows  of  the  hero,  who  ever  afterwards 
Do  re  the  club  as  a memorial  of  his  first  victory. 


Who  was  Theseus  ? — What  was  his  first  feat  ? 


THESEUS. 


149 


At  the  Isthmus  of  Corinth  he  found  a man  named 
Sinis,  called  also  the  Pine-bender,  from  being  able 
to  take  pine-trees  by  the  head  and  bend  them  to 
the  ground.  Pie  obliged  all  passers-by  to  attempt 
the  same  feat ; and  if  they  failed,  hung  them  upon 
the  trees.  Theseus  bent  down  the  pines  with  ease, 
and  then  hung  Sinis  from  the  boughs.  In  this 
neighbourhood  he  also  killed  a huge  sow  which 
did  great  mischief  to  the  inhabitants. 

On  the  narrow  road  overhanging  the  sea,  on  the 
way  to  Megara,  dwelt  a man  named  Sciron.  His 
practice  was  to  make  strangers  wash  his  feet  on 
the  edge  of  the  pass,  and  while  thus  engaged  to 
give  them  a kick  into  the  sea,  where  a huge  tor- 
toise waited  to  devour  them.  Theseus,  however, 
threw  Sciron  himself  down,  and  made  the  passage 
safe. 

At  Eleusis  dwelt  Cercyon  the  son  of  Neptune, 
who  forced  all  strangers  to  wrestle  with  him,  and 
killed  them  when  vanquished.  Theseus  paid  him 
in  his  own  coin. 

On  the  banks  of  the  Cephissus  he  met  a man 
named  Damastes,  called  the  Stretcher  ( Procrustes ) 
on  the  following  account : — He  had  two  iron  bed- 
steads, one  long  and  the  other  short.  When  a 
stranger  came  to  him  who  happened  to  be  short. 


His  second?— How  did  he  treat  Sciron ?—  Cercyon? — Dt> 


150 


THESEUS. 


he  took  him  to  the  long  bed,  and  pulled  him  to 
make  him  fit  it,  he  said,  till  life  had  left  him.  If 
the  stranger  should  be  tall,  he  gave  him  the  short 
bed,  and  cut  so  much  off  him  as  reduced  him  to 
the  same  length  with  it.  Theseus  also  punished 
him  as  he  deserved. 

All  the  perils  of  the  road  being  surmounted,  he 
arrived  at  Athens,  where  Medea  the  Oolchian  en- 
chantress was  living  with  Aegeus.  By  her  insi- 
nuations the  king  conceived  such  suspicions  of  the 
young  stranger,  that  he  was  handing  him  a cup 
of  poison  when  the  sword  which  he  bore  attracted 
his  attention,  and  he  recognised  and  acknowledged 
his  son.  Medea  fled  to  Colchis  in  her  winged 
chariot. 

The  Marathonian  bull  was  at  this  time  com- 
mitting great  ravages,  and  Theseus  resolved  tc 
deliver  the  country  of  him.  He  went  to  Mara- 
thon, caught  the  bull,  and  having  exhibited  him 
in  chains  to  the  astonished  people,  offered  him  in 
sacrifice  to  his  protecting  goddess  Pallas  Athena. 

The  Athenians  were  at  this  time  in  great  afflic- 
tion on  account  of  the  annual  tribute  whicli  they 
were  obliged  to  pay  to  Minos  king  of  Crete.  The 
cause  of  it  was  this  : — Androgeiis,  son  of  Minos 
having  come  to  the  public  games  at  Athens,  where 

How  was  Medea  baffled  ? — What  was  Theseus’  first  exploit 
hi  Attica? — How  was  the  tribute  to  Minos  incurred  ? 


THESEUS. 


151 


he  vanquished  all  his  competitors  iEgeus,  jealous 
of  his  success,  laid  an  ambush  for  him  as  he  was 
going  to  Thebes,  and  had  him  slain.  To  avenge 
his  son,  Minos  invaded  Attica  with  a large  fleet 
and  army.  Athens  was  reduced  by  famine  ; and 
the  terms  imposed  by  Minos  were,  that  seven 
youths  and  as  many  maidens  of  the  most  beautiful 
which  Athens  contained  should  be  sent  annually 
to  Crete,  to  be  devoured  by  a monster  named  the 
Minotaur,  the  offspring  of  Pasiphae,  Minos’s  queen, 
and  the  bull  sent  out  of  the  sea  by  Neptune,  fit 
The  third  year  was  now  arrived,  and  the  youths 
and  maids  were  departing  amid  the  tears  of  their 
parents  and  friends,  when  Theseus  resolved  to  go, 
and  either  be  one  of  the  victims  or  deliver  his 
country  from  the  odious  tribute.  iEgeus  having 
vainly  attempted  to  prevent  his  departure,  charged 
him,  if  successful,  to  change  to  white  on  his  return 
the  black  sails  under  which  the  ship  departed. 
On  arriving  in  Crete,  the  Athenian  youths  and 
maidens  were,  as  usual,  led  before  the  king,  whose 
daughter,  Ariadne,  instantly  conceived  a violent 
affection  for  Theseus.  She  furnished  the  hero 
with  a clue  of  thread,  which  enabled  him  to  trace 
with  safety  the  mazes  of  the  labyrinth  in  which 
/he  Minotaur  lay ; and  having  slain  the  monster, 


What  was  it? — Who  undertook  to  deliy£i„his  country  from 
this  tribute  ? — What  happened  to  him  in  Crete  ? 


152 


THESEUS. 


he  and  his  companions  made  their  escape  from 
it  and  got  on  ship-board.  Ariadne  accompanied 
their  flight;  but  in  the  isle  of  Naxos,  Minerva 
appeared  to  Theseus  in  a dream,  and  desired  him 
to  set  sail  and  leave  the  princess  asleep  on  the 
shore.  On  awaking  and  finding  herself  abandoned, 
Ariadne  was  filled  with  despair  and  wept  bitterly  ; 
but  Venus  appeared  and  consoled  her ; Bacchus 
soon  after  made  her  his  bride,  and  Jupiter  be- 
stowed on  her  immortality. 

Theseus  pursuing  his  voyage  arrived  off  the 
coast  of  Attica ; but  having  forgotten  to  change 
his  sails,  his  anxious  father,  who  spent  each  day 
upon  a cliff  looking  out  to  sea,  thinking  that  his  son 
had  perished,  flung  himself  down  from  it  into  the 
sea,  which  was  named  from  him  the  yEgean. 

Theseus  was  at  the  Calydonian  hunt,  on  the 
Argonautic  expedition,  and  he  accompanied  Her- 
cules to  the  country  of  the  Amazons.  In  the  en- 
gagement with  these  female-warriors,  Theseus  dis- 
tinguished himself  so  much  that  Hercules  gave 
him  Antiope,  the  sister  of  Hippolyta,  by  whom 
he  had  a son  named  Hippolytus,  a youth  of  the 
fairest  piomise  and  most  virtuous  mind.  . 

The  Athenian  hero  was  the  intimate  friend  of 
Pirithous,  king  of  the  Lapithse ; yet  their  friend- 

How  did  he  treat  Ariadne  ? — What  befel  his  father  ? — Wliut 
adventures  did  he  have  with  Hercules? — With  Pirithous? 


THESEUS. 


15 


ship  had  commenced  in  the  midst  of  arms.  Piri- 
hous  once  made  an  irruption  into  the  plain  of 
Marathon,  and  drove  off  the  herds  of  the  king  of 
Athens.  Theseus  hearing  of  what  had  happened, 
hastened  to  the  rescue:  but  the  moment  Piri- 
thoiis  beheld  the  Athenian  prince,  he  was  seized 
with  secret  admiration : he  stretched  out  his  hand 
as  a token  of  peace,  and  cried,  “ Be  judge  thyself 
— -What  satisfaction  dost  thou  require  V9  “ Thy 
friendship,”  replied  the  Athenian  : and  they  swore 
inviolable  fidelity.  Their  deeds  corresponded  to 
their  professions,  and  they  ever  continued  true 
brothers  in  arms.  Each  of  them  wished  to 
espouse  a daughter  of  Jupiter.  Theseus  fixed 
his  choice  on  Helen,  then  but  a child ; and  with 
the  aid  of  his  friend,  he  carried  her  off.  Pirithoiis 
aspired  to  the  wife  of  the  monarch  of  Erebus  ,* 
and  Theseus,  though  aware  of  the  danger,  ac- 
companied the  ambitious  lover  in  his  descent  to 
the  under- wo  rid ; but  Pluto  seized  and  set  them 
on  an  enchanted  rock  at  his  palace-gate,  where 
they  remained  till  Hercules  arrived  and  liberated 
Theseus. 

Theseus  was  married  to  Phsedra,  the  sister  of 
Ariadne ; and  Venus  inspired  this  princess  with 
an  unhappy  passion  for  the  son  of  the  Amazon 


In  Erebus  ? — Who  was  his  wife  ? 


154 


THESEUS. 


During  the  absence  of  her  husband  she  made 
known  her  feelings  to  their  object,  but  the  vir- 
tuous youth  repelled  her  advances  with  indig- 
nation. Filled  with  fear  and  hate,  on  the  return 
of  Theseus  she  accused  His  innocent  son  of  an 
attempt  on  her  honour.  Without  inquiry,  the 
blinded  prince  banished  his  son;  and  calling  to 
mind  that  Neptune  had  promised  him  the  accom- 
plishment of  any  wish  he  should  form,  implored 
the  god  to  destroy  him.  As  Hippolytus,  on  leav- 
ing Troezene,  where  they  then  were,  was  driving 
his  chariot  along  the  shore  of  the  sea,  there  issued 
from  it  a huge  monster,  which  terrified  his  horses 
so  that  he  lost  all  command  over  them.  They 
dashed  the  chariot  to  pieces  against  the  rocks,  and 
dragged  their  hapless  master  along  entangled  in 
the  reins,  till  life  abandoned  him.  Theseus,  when 
too  late,  learned  the  innocence  of  his  son, — and 
Phaedra  ended  her  days  by  her  own  hand. 

In  his  old  days  Theseus  was  banished  from 
Athens.  He  retired  to  the  isle  of  Scyros,  where 
his  friend  Lycomedes  reigned.  Here,  as  he  one 
day  mounted  a lofty  rock,  with  his  host,  to  take 
a view  of  the  island,  he  either  fell  or  was  pushed 
down  by  his  companion,  and  lost  his  life  in  the 

tall.  y$ 

Who  was  his  son  ? — What  was  his  son’s  fate  ? — IIowr  did  The 
*eus  end  his  days  ? 


PROCNE  AND  PHILOMELA. 


155 


CHAPTER 

PROCNE  AND  PHILOMELA.  CEPHALUS  AND 
PROCRIS.  NI3US  AND  SCYLLA. 

In  the  time  of  Pandion,  one  of  its  early  kings, 
Attica  was  invaded  by  a fleet  and  army  of  barba- 
rians. Tereus,  the  son  of  Mars  and  king  of  Thrace, 
came  to  aid  the  Athenians,  and  by  their  united 
arms  the  invaders  were  put  to  flight.  Pandion 
bestowed  his  daughter  Procne  in  marriage  on  his 
valiant  ally ; and  Tereus  departed  with  his  bride, 
and  returned  to  Thrace. 

After  five  years,  Procne  felt  an  earnest  longing 
to  see  her  sister  Philomela  ; and  she  prevailed  on 
her  husband  to  make  a voyage  to  Athens,  and  en- 
deavour to  persuade  her  father  to  let  her  come 
and  spend  some  time  in  Thrace.  Tereus,  on  be- 
holding the  beauty  of  his  sister-in-law,  fell  vio- 
lently in  love  with  her ; and  on  their  arriving  in 
Thrace,  instead  of  conveying  her  to  his  palace, 
brought  her  to  a remote  farm-house  in  the  woods, 
and  there  gratified  his  wicked  passion.  To  pre- 
vent her  disclosing  what  had  happened,  he  cut  cut 
the  tongue  of  his  innocent  victim.  His  wife  lie 
deceived  by  a false  tale  of  the  death  of  her  sister. 
Procne  put  on  mourning  for  her  whom  she  be- 

Who  was  Philomela? — How  was  she  injured  ? — By  whom? 


156  rROCNE  AND  PHILOMELA. 

lieved  to  be  dead,  and  Tereus  deemed  his  secret 
secure. 

The  hapless  Philomela  meantime  employed  her. 
self  in  weaving  a web,  in  which  she  pictured  her 
story.  This  web  she  sent  to  her  sister,  who  at 
once  understood  what  it  was  designed  to  tell.  It 
was  now  the  season  when  the  triennial  rites  of 
Bacchus  were  celebrated  by  the  women  of  Thrace, 
to  whose  cries  the  mountains  resounded  as  they 
ran  about  covered  with  fawn-skins,  crowned  with 
ivy,  and  swinging  their  thyrsi  or  vine-wreathed 
spears.  Procne,  taking  advantage  of  the  season, 
went  to  the  place  where  her  sister  was  confined, 
and  putting  on  her  the  ivy  and  fawn-skin  of  a 
Bacchante,  brought  her  to  the  palace.  She  then 
killed  her  own  son  Itys,  and  served  up  the  flesh 
for  his  father  to  feed  on.  When  Tereus  had  con- 
cluded his  meal,  he  called  for  his  son ; Philomela 
then  rushed  from  an  adjoining  room,  and  flung 
down  the  head  of  Itys  before  his  face.  The  two 
sisters  fled  pursued  by  Tereus  with  his  drawn 
sword.  All  three  were  changed  by  the  Gods  into 
birds ; — Procne  became  a swallow,  Philomela  a 
nightingale,  and  Tereus  a hoopoo. 

Erechtheus,  the  successor  of  Pandion,  gave  his 
daughter  Procris  ir  marriage  to  Cephalus,  a Thes- 

How  did  she  inform  Procne  ? — What  was  the  revenge  ?■—  Into 
A’hat  were  all  of  them  changed  ? 


CEPHALUS  AND  PROCRIS. 


157 


salian  prince.  They  long  lived  in  perfect  concord 
and  happiness.  At  length  Procris  hearing  that 
her  husband,  who  was  passionately  fond  of  the 
chase,  was  in  the  habit  of  retiring,  when  exhausted 
by  heat  and  fatigue,  to  the  shady  covert  of  the 
woods,  and  crying  aloud  44  Come,  Aura  (Air) !” 
she  fancied  that  Aura  must  be  the  name  of  some 
nymph  with  whom  he  was  enamoured.  Filled 
with  jealousy  she  went  to  the  designated  spot,  and 
concealed  herself  in  a thicket;  and  when  Cepha- 
lus  as  usual  cried  44  Come,  Aura  !”  Procris  made  a 
rustling  among  the  leaves.  Cephalus,  thinking  it 
must  be  some  wild  beast,  flung  his  never-failing 
dart — a gift  of  Procris  herself — and  pierced  the 
bosom  of  his  beloved  wife.  Procris,  when  too 
late,  learned  her  error ; and  she  died,  leaving  her 
husband  overwhelmed  with  grief. 

Procris  had  also  given  to  her  husband  a dog  of 
marvellous  fleetness,  named  Lcelaps  ( Whirlwind ). 
Thebes  being  at  this  time  infested  by  a fox  which 
nothing  could  overtake,  Cephalus  went  thither 
with  his  wonderful  dart  and  dog.  Lcelaps  soon  ran 
the  fox  down ; but  just  as  he  was  about  to  seize 
the  animal,  Jupiter  turned  them  both  into  stone. 

In  the  war  waged  by  Minos  of  Crete  against 
ASgeus  king  of  Athens,  to  avenge  the  death  of  his 
son  Androgens,  the  Cretan  monarch  laid  siege  to 

Tell  the  story  of  Cephalus  and  Procris. 

14 


158  NISUS  AND  SCYLLA. 

Megara,  then  governed  by  Nisus,  the  brother  ot 
iEgeus.  On  the  head  of  Nisus  grew  a purple  lock 
of  hair,  and  as  long  as  it  remained  uncut,  so  long 
would  Megara  be  impregnable.  The  siege  had 
continued  for  some  time,  when  Scylla,  the  daugh- 
ter of  Nisus,  who  had  become  enamoured  of  Minos, 
treacherously  stole  in  the  night  to  her  father’s 
chamber,  and  shore  him  of  his  strength.  She 
hastened  to  the  camp  of  Minos,  and  boasting  of 
what  she  had  done,  demanded  his  love ; but  the 
Cretan  repelled  her  with  abhorrence,  and  granted 
favourable  terms  to  the  town.  The  gods  changed 
Scylla  into  the  bird  named  Ciris,  and  Nisus  into  a 
sea-eagle,  and  the  father  evermore  pursues  the 
daughter  to  punish  her  crime. 

— — 

CHAPTER  IX. 

ABACUS,  PELOPS,  AND  THEIR  POSTERITY. 

Abacus  was  the  son  of  Jupiter  by  Angina  the 
daughter  of  the  river-god  Asopus.  He  abode  in 
the  isle  named  from  his  mother.  A pestilence 
having  swept  away  all  his  people,  Abacus  preferred 
his  prayer  to  his  celestial  sire,  and  the  god  changed 
the  ants  which  abode  under  an  oak-tree  into  men, 
wno  were  thence  called  Myrmidons,  from  myrmex 


Of  Nisus  and  Scylla  ? — Who  was  iEacue  ? 


JEACUS,  FEL0FS,  AND  THEIR  POSTERITY'.  159 

the  Greek  term  for  ‘ ant.’  After  his  death,  Abacus 
was  for  his  uprightness  made  one  of  the  judges 
of  Erebus. 

The  children  of  iEacus  were  Telamon,  Peleus, 
and  Pliocus.  The  two  former  having  killed  their 
brother  were  banished  from  the  island  by  their 
father.  Telamon  retired  to  the  neighbouring  isle 
of  Salamis,  the  daughter  of  whose  king  he  mar- 
ried. He  assisted  Hercules  against  Troy,  and  was 
engaged  in  most  expeditions  of  the  time. 

Peleus  went  to  Thessaly,  where  he  married  the 
daughter  of  Eury'tion  the  son  of  Actor.  At  the 
Calydonian  Hunt  he  killed  his  father-in-law  by 
accident : he  was  purified  of  the  guilt  by  Acastus 
son  of  Pelias.  The  wife  of  Acastus  having  seen 
him  fell  in  love  with  him,  and  when  he  rejected 
her  advances  she  accused  him  to  her  husband  of 
an  attempt  on  her  honour.  Acastus,  believing  her, 
took  him  to  hunt  on  Mount  Pelion ; and  when  Pe- 
leus fell  asleep,  he  hid  his  sword  and  left  him  there, 
hoping  that  the  Centaurs  would  slay  him.  He  was 
saved  from  them  by  Chiron,  who  then  taught  him 
how  to  win  the  sea-nymph  Thetis. 

Peleus,  as  instructed,  lay  in  wait  for  the  nymph 
and  seized  her.  She  in  vain  changed  herseff  suc- 
cessively into  fire,  water,  and  a wild  beast : he 

What  is  his  history  ? — Who  were  ms  children? — What  is  said 
of  Telamon? — Of’Peleui  ? 


160  JEACUS,  PELOFS,  AND  THEIR  POSTERITY. 

neld  her  fast,  and  she  was  forced  to  marry  him. 
The  gods  honoured  the  wedding  with  their  pre- 
sence, and  bestowed  their  gifts  on  Peleus. 

When  Thetis  brought  forth  her  first  child,  the 
renowned  Achilles,  she  wished  to  render  him  im- 
mortal. Every  night  she  placed  him  in  the  fire: 
by  day  she  anointed  him  with  ambrosia.  But 
Peleus,  happening  to  see  the  babe  panting  in  the 
flames,  cried  cut,  and  the  goddess  returned  to  the 
sea.  She  had  however  made  Achilles  invulner- 
able, except  in  the  heel,  by  dipping  him  in  the 
river  Styx. 

Pelops,  the  son  of  Tantalus,  when  the  gods,  as 
has  been  already  related,  had  restored  him  to  life, 
became  the  favourite  of  Neptune,  who  gave  him 
a chariot  and  fleet  horses  to  win  Hippodamia> 
daughter  of  CEnomaiis  king  of  Pisa,  who  had  pro- 
mised her  in  marriage  to  him  who  could  beat  him 
in  the  chariot-race.  Pelops  bribed  Myrtilus  that 
prince’s  charioteer  to  leave  out  one  of  theiinch-pins, 
and  CEnomaiis  was  in  consequence  flung  out  and 
killed.  When  Pelops  had  thus  gained  the  prize,  he 
sought  to  defraud  Myrtilus  of  the  promised  reward, 
and  when  he  urged  him  he  threw  him  into  the  sea. 

The  most  distinguished  of  the  sons  of  Pelops 
were  Pittheus,  renowned  for  wisdom,  Atreus,  and 


Who  was  his  son  ? — What  is  said  of  him  ? — Tell  the  story  at 
r’elops. 


iEACUS,  PELOPS,  AND  THEIR  POSTERITY.  16  1 

Thyestes.  Thyestes  seduced  the  wife  of  \treus, 
who,  to  be  revenged,  affected  to  have  forgiven  him, 
and  invited  him  to  a feast.  The  food  set  before 
him  was  the  flesh  of  his  own  children,  whom  Atreus 
had  slain,  and  when  he  had  finished  his  meal  the 
heads  and  hands  were  shown  him.  The  Sun  stopt 
his  chariot  in  mid-day  at  this  atrocious  deed.  Thy* 
estes  fled  from  his  brother  to  Thesprotia. 

Some  time  afterwards  Thyestes  violated,  with- 
out  knowing  her,  his  own  daughter  Pelopia.  She 
drew  his  sword  and  kept  it.  Atreus  soon  after 
married  Pelopia,  and  the  son  whom  she  had  by  her 
father  was  given  to  be  exposed  ; but  the  herdsmen 
took  pity  on  him,  and  reared  him  on  the  milk  of  a 
goat  ( (ex ),  whence  he  was  called  iEgisthus.  Atreus, 
hearing  he  was  alive,  sent  for  him,  and  acknow- 
ledged him  for  his  son. 

Having  made  a prisoner  of  Thyestes,  Atreus 
sent  ^Egisthus  to  put  him  to  death.  The  sword 
he  bore  was  that  which  Pelopia  had  taken  from 
her  father.  Thyestes  recognised  it.  Pelopia  at  his 
desire  came ; the  deed  of  darkness  was  revealed, 
and  Pelopia  in  horror  plunged  the  sword  into  her 
own  bosom.  iEgisthus  brought  it  covered  with 
blood  to  Atreus,  who  thinking  the  blood  to  be  that 
ffTnyestes  offered  a sacrifice  to  the  gods,  and 


Of  Thyestes. — Of  Pelopia. 


162 


THE  CALYDONTAN  HUNT. 


while  thus  engaged  was  fallen  on  and  slain  by  Thy- 
estes  and  his  son. 

Atreus  left  two  sons,  Agamemnon  and  Menelaus 


CHAPTER  X. 

THE  CALYDONIAN  HUNT. 

(Eneus  ( Viny ) king  of  Calydon  was  a prince 
greatly  devoted  to  agriculture.  At  the  conclusion 
of  every  harvest  he  made  due  offerings  to  the  gods 
as  the  authors  of  his  prosperity.  On  one  of  these 
occasions  he  inadvertently  neglected  Diana ; and 
the  goddess,  to  punish  him,  sent  a monstrous  boar 
to  ravage  the  lands  of  Calydon. 

As  the  lands  could  not  be  cultivated  as  long  as 
the  monster  lived,  Meleager,  the  gallant  son  of  the 
king,  proclaimed  a general  hunt,  and  invited  to  it 
the  most  famous  heroes  of  the  age.  At  his  call 
came  Castor  and  Pollux,  the  sons  of  Leda ; and 
their  cousins,  Idas  renowned  for  fleetness,  and 
L^nceus  for  piercing  sight ; Telamon  and  Peleus, 
the  sons  of  iEacus  ; Jason,  the  son  of  iEson  ; Am- 
phiaraus,  the  renowned  soothsayer ; Admetus, 
whom  Apollo  had  served  ; Theseus  and  his  friend 
Pirithous ; Laertes,  the  father  of  Ulysses  ; Nestor 

What  was  the  origin  of  the  Calydonian  hunt? — Who  were 
the  banters  ? 


THE  CALYDOXIAN  HUNT.  163 

of  Pylos,  and  many  others.  With  these  came 
Atalanta,  a fair  huntress-maid,  from  Arcadia. 

The  hunters,  provided  with  dogs,  nets  and  spears, 
proceeded  to  a densely  wooded  valley,  the  usual 
haunt  of  the  boar.  Having  roused  him  from  his 
lair,  the  hunt  began.  Loud  was  the  shouting  ol 
the  men,  the  baying  of  the  dogs  : the  boar  rushed 
like  a thunderbolt,  and  scattered  his  foes ; some 
were  wounded,  and  others  killed  by  his  tusks  : 
Nestor  escaped  only  by  climbing  a tree.  At  length 
Atalanta  drew  the  first  blood,  having  pierced  the 
boar  in  the  ear  with  an  arrow.  Meleager  trans- 
fixed his  back  with  a spear,  and  then  following  up 
his  success  despatched  him.  He  presented  the 
head  and  hide  of  the  slain  monster  to  the  Arca- 
dian maid  of  whom  he  was  secretly  enamoured. 
His  uncles,  the  two  sons  of  Thestius,  insolently 
took  the  prize  from  her,  which  so  incensed  Mele- 
ager, that  he  slew  them  both,  and  restored  the 
spoils  to  the  maiden. 

At  the  birth  of  Meleager,  the  Fates  had  come 
to  the  chamber  of  his  mother  Althaea,  and  casting 
a billet  into  the  fire  which  burned  on  the  hearth, 
said,  “ We  give,  new-born  babe,  the  same  dura- 
tion to  thee  and  to  the  wood.”  Althaea  instantly 
snatched  the  brand  from  the  flames,  and  quenching 
t with  water  laid  it  up  carefully.  But  now,  filled 


Describe  the  hunt. 


164  THE  ARGONAUTIC  EXPEDITION. 

with  grief  and  anger  for  the  fate  of  her  brother^ 
she  brought  it  forth  and  cast  it  into  the  fire.  As 
.t  burned,  the  vigour  of  Meleager  wasted  away,  and 
when  it  was  consumed  he  lay  a corpse.  Great  was 
the  grief  which  overwhelmed  the  king  and  people 
at  the  hapless  fate  of  their  hero.  Althaea  repented 
when  too  late,  and  put  an  end  to  her  life ; and  the 
sisters  of  Meleager,  grieving  without  ceasing,  were 
by  the  compassion  of  Diana  changed  into  birds. 


CHAPTER  XI. 

THE  ARGONAUTIC  EXPEDITION. 

jEson,  king  of  lolcos,  in  Thessaly,  having  been 
driven  from  his  throne  by  his  half-brother  Pelias, 
committed  his  infant  son  Jason  to  the  care  of  the 
Centaur  Chiron.  Pelias,  having  consulted  the  ora- 
cle, was  directed  to  beware  of  the  one  sandaled  man. 

Time  flowed  on,  and  there  was  no  appearance 
of  the  oracle  being  fulfilled.  At  length  Jason, 
having  arrived  at  his  twentieth  year,  secretly  left 
the  mountain-cave  of  the  Centaur,  and  proceeded 
to  lolcos  to  claim  his  rights.  As  he  was  crossing 
the  rapid  river  Anauros,  he  lost  one  of  his  sandals, 
and  was  obliged  to  proceed  without  it.  He  arrived 
at  length  in  the  market-place  of  lolcos,  where  all 


What  was  the  fate  of  Maleager  ? — Who  was  iEson  ? — Jason  ? 


THE  ARGON  A.UTIC  EXPEDITION,  165 

the  people  gazed* on  him  with  amazement,  doubting 
whether  he  was  not  a god ; and  Pelias,  who  hap- 
pened to  come  by  at  the  time,  shuddered  when  he 
saw  that  he  had  but  one  sandal.  Jason  went  to 
the  house  of  his  father,  and  thither  his  uncles  and 
cousins  came  to  meet  him  ; and  after  feasting  for 
the  space  of  five  days,  they  accompanied  him  to 
the  dwelling  of  Pelias,  who  agreed  to  resign  the 
kingdom  to  him,  on  condition  that  he  would  sail 
to  Colchis  and  fetch  home  the  Golden  Fleece. 

The  story  of  the  Golden  Fleece  was  this. — 
A'thamas,  a prince  of  Bceotia,  was  married  to  Ne- 
phela  (Cloud),  by  whom  he  had  two  children, 
named  Phrixus  and  Helle.  On  the  death  of  Ne- 
phela  he  married  Ino  the  daughter  of  Cadmus, 
who,  jealous  of  her  step-children,  resolved  to  de- 
stroy them.  She  accordingly  persuaded  the  wo- 
men to  parch  the  seed-corn  unknown  to  their  hus- 
bands. The  land  consequently  yielded  no  increase ; 
and  when  the  oracle  was  consulted,  Ino  bribed  the 
messengers  to  say  that  the  evil  could  only  be  re- 
moved by  sacrificing  Phrixus  to  Jupiter.  A'thamas 
reiuctantly  placed  his  son  before  the  altar ; but 
Nephela  suddenly  snatched  away  both  her  son 
and  daughter,  and  placing  them  on  a gold-fleeced 
ram,  which  had  been  given  her  by  Hermes,  and 
which,  like  the  celestial  steeds,  could  run  through 


What  b his  story  ? — Tell  the  story  of  the  Golden  Fleere 


166  THE  ARGOXAUTIC  EXPEDITION 

the  air  or  along  the  water,  directed  them  to  fly  to 
Colchis.  They  reached  in  safety  the  strait  between 
Europe  and  Asia ; but  here  Helle,  through  fright 
or  giddiness,  fell  off  and  was  drowned,  and  the  sea 
was  named  from  her,  Hellespont  (Helle' s Sea). 
Phrixus  pursued  his  journey  till  he  arrived  at 
Colchis,  where  he  was  kindly  received  by  king 
jEetes,  who  gave  him  his  daughter  Calciope  in  mar- 
riage. Phrixus  sacrificed  his  ram  to  Jupiter,  and 
AEetes  nailed  the  Golden  Fleece  to  an  oak  in  the 
grove  of  Mars,  where  it  was  guarded  by  a serpent. 

Jason  undertook  the  adventure ; and  Argus  the 
son  of  Phrixus  built  for  him,  with  the  aid  of  Mi- 
nerva, a fiAy-oared  ship,  named  from  himself,  the 
Argo.  In  her  prow  Minerva  placed  a plank  cut 
from  the  speaking  oak  at  Dodona. 

The  expedition  was  proclaimed  throughout 
Greece,  and  every  hero  who  panted  for  fame  has- 
tened to  share  in  it.  The  number  of  the  heroes  was 
fifty ; the  most  distinguished  among  whom  were 
Hercules,  Theseus,  Castor  and  Pollux,  Telamon 
and  Peleus,  Admetus,  Idas  and  Lynceus,  Laertes, 
Amphiaraiis,  Zetes  and  Calais,  Polyphemus,  Au- 
gcas,  Poeas,  Meleager,  and  the  fair  maid  Atalanta. 
Orpheus  was  soothsayer,  Aesculapius  surgeon,  and 
Tiphys  pilot.  T 

What  was  the  origin  of  the  name  Hellespont? — How  was  J* 
son’s  ship  built  ? — What  heroes  accompanied  him  ? 


THE  ARGONAUTIC  EXPEDITION.  167 

All  things  being  prepared,  and  the  sacrifices 
having  proved  favourable,  they  got  on  board  and 
put  to  sea.  The  first  land  at  which  they  touched 
was  the  isle  of  Lemnos,  where  the  women  had 
lately  murdered  all  the  men,  Hypsipyla  their  queen 
having  alone  saved  her  father  Thoas.  The  Ar- 
gonauts were  hospitably  entertained  by  the  Lem- 
nian  women,  and  after  stopping  a few  days  they 
again  put  to  sea. 

On  arriving  at  the  coast  of  Mysia,  they  went 
ashore ; and  here  a beautiful  youth  named  Hylas, 
a favourite  of  Hercules,  having  gone  to  a spring 
to  draw  water,  was  seized,  as  he  stooped  to  dip 
his  urn,  by  its  nymphs,  who  were  enamoured  of 
his  beauty,  and  dragged  down  into  it.  Polyphemus 
hearing  his  cries,  and  thinking  he  was  assailed  by 
robbers,  drew  his  sword  and  went  to  his  aid.  Her- 
cules followed,  but  Hylas  was  nowhere  to  be  found, 
and  while  they  were  engaged  in  searching  for 
him,  the  Argo  departed,  leaving  them  behind. 

The  Argonauts  next  arrived  at  Bebry'cia,  where 
A'mycus,  a son  of  Neptune,  reigned.  It  was  the 
custom  of  this  prince  to  make  all  strangers  who 
arrived  in  his  country  engage  with  him  in  the 
combat  cf  the  cestus.  On  perceiving  the  Argo, 
he  came  down  to  the  shore,  and  challenged  the 

Describe  the  voyage  to  Mysia. — The  adventure  there. — At 
Bcbrycia. 


168  THE  ARGONAUTIC  EXPEDITION. 

heroes.  Pollux,  who  was  renowned  as  a pugilist 
was  deputed  by  his  companions  to  act  as  theii 
champion,  and  he  terminated  the  combat  by  the 
death  of  the  Bebrycian  prince.  The  subjects  of 
Amycus  fell  on  the  victor;  but  his  companions 
came  to  his  aid,  and  the  Bebrycians  were  repelled 
with  great  loss. 

Sailing  thence  they  came  to  Salmydessus,  on 
the  European  coast,  where  Phineus  the  prophet- 
prince  dwelt  in  blindness  and  in  misery.  He  had 
married  the  daughter  of  the  wind-god  Boreas  and 
Oreithyia,  who  bore  him  two  sons.  On  her  death 
he  married  Idaea,  the  daughter  of  Dardanus,  who, 
jealous  of  her  step-sons,  maligned  them  to  theii 
father.  The  credulous  prince  believing  the  ca- 
lumny, deprived  his  innocent  children  of  sight; 
and  the  gods,  to  punish  him,  struck  him  blind, 
and  sent  the  Harpies  to  torment  him.  These  were 
monsters,  with  the  faces  of  women,  and  the  bodies, 
wings  and  tails  of  birds,  greedy,  ravenous,  and 
filthy.  As  soon  as  food  was  set  before  the  un- 
happy prince,  the  Harpies  came  on  the  wing, 
snatched  and  devoured  a portion  of  the  viands, 
and  so  defiled  the  remainder,  that  no  mortal  could 
endure  to  touch  them. 

The  heroes  having  gone  on  shore,  proceeded 
Co  the  palace  of  Phineus,  to  consult  him  as  to 


At  Salmydessus. — Tell  the  story  of  the  Harpies. 


THE  ARGONAUTIC  EXPEDITION.  169 

heir  further  course.  He  promised  to  give  them 
ample  directions,  provided  they  would  deliver  him 
from  the  Harpies.  They  undertook  the  task  : the 
rabies  were  spread  forthwith,  and  the  viands  laid 
as  for  a banquet : instantly  the  clapping  of  wings 
was  heard,  and  the  Harpies  descended  and  began 
their  usual  work  of  destruction.  Zetes  and  Calais, 
the  winged  sons  of  Boreas,  drew  their  swords,  and 
attacked  the  feathered  monsters ; the  Harpies 
rose  in  the  air,  the  sons  of  the  Wind-god  spread 
their  pinions,  and  pursued  them : the  chase  con- 
tinued, over  the  sea  and  Greece,  to  the  islands 
named  Strophades,  beyond  the  Peloponnesus. 
Here  at  length  the  Boreades  came  up  with  the 
Harpies  and  seized  them ; but  on  their  swearing 
never  more  to  molest  Phineus,  the  captors  gave 
them  their  liberty  and  returned  to  join  their  com- 
panions. 

Phineus  now  joyfully  instructed  his  deliverers 
how  to  pursue  their  course  in  safety  to  Colchis, 
and  they  once  more  put  to  sea.  They  soon  reached 
the  entrance  of  the  Euxine ; and  here  they  en- 
countered the  greatest  danger  they  had  to  meet. 
This  was  the  rocks  named  Symplegades  ( Knockers - 
together ),  which  floated  about,  and  as  they  were 
driven  by  the  wind  crushed  everything  that  came 
oetween  them  : they  were  always  enveloped  in 


Describe  the  passage  through  'he  Symplegades. 

To 


170  THE  ARGONAUTIC  EXPEDITION. 

mist;  dreadful  was  the  crash  when  they  met; 
and  even  the  birds  could  not  then  pass  through 
Phineus  had  told  the  Argonauts  to  let  fly  a pi- 
geon, and  to  mark  if  she  came  safely  through,  for 
in  that  case  the  Argo  might  venture  to  follow. 
They  did  as  directed ; the  pigeon  passed  through 
with  the  loss  of  her  tail : as  the  rocks  receded, 
the  Argo,  urged  by  oar  and  sail,  and  aided  by 
Juno,  boldly  rushed  on,  and  escaped  with  some 
damage  to  her  stern- works.  The  rocks  now  be- 
came fixed,  for  so  it  was  fated  to  be  when  a ship 
had  passed  through  uninjured. 

After  a prosperous  course  along  the  Asiatic 
coast,  the  Argo  entered  the  river  Phasis  in  Col- 
chis. Jason  lost  no  time  in  informing  king  iEtes 
of  the  cause  of  his  coming ; and  that  monarch 
readily  consented  to  his  taking  the  Golden  Fleece 
back  to  Greece,  provided  he  could  perform  the 
necessary  conditions.  These  were,  to  yoke  to  a 
plough  the  brass-footed  fire-breathing  bulls  which 
Vulcan  had  given  to  iEtes ; to  plough  with  them 
a piece  of  land ; to  sow  in  it  the  teeth  of  the  ser- 
pent slain  by  Cadmus,  a part  of  which  Minerva 
had  given  to  iEtes ; and,  finally,  to  overcome  the 
armed  crop  which  would  spring  up. 

Jason  was  in  great  perplexity  when  he  found 
the  dangers  and  difficulties  which  he  had  to  en 
What  terms  were  offered  to  Jason 7 


THE  ARGONAUTIC  EXPEDITION.  171 

counter ; but  Juno  and  Fortune  stood  his  friends 
Medea,  the  daughter  of  the  king,  a potent  en- 
chantress, fell  in  love  with  him  the  instant  she 
beheld  him ; and  on  his  promising  to  marry  her, 
and  take  her  with  him  to  Greece,  engaged  to  give 
him  her  assistance.  She  accordingly  gave  him  a 
salve  to  rub  his  body,  shield,  and  spear,  which 
would  preserve  them  against  fire  during  an  entire 
day.  Thus  prepared  he  boldly  entered  the  grove 
of  Mars,  where  the  bulls  were  feeding : — uninjured 
by  the  flames  which  they  respired,  he  seized  and 
yoked  them.  He  ploughed  the  field  and  sowed 
the  serpent’s  teeth : up  sprang  a crop  of  armed 
men,  who  with  protruded  spears  advanced  to  at- 
tack him.  Following  the  advice  of  Medea,  he 
threw  stones  among  them  : they  turned  their  arms 
against  each  other ; and  as  they  were  fighting,  the 
hero  fell  upon  and  slew  them.  The  tasks  were 
thus  accomplished ; but  iEetes  refused  to  give  the 
Fleece,  and  even  formed  a plan  for  burning'  the 
Argo  and  slaughtering  her  crew.  But  Medea  led 
Jason  by  night  to  the  oak  on  which  hung  the  Golden 
Fleece : with  her  magic  drugs  she  charmed  to 
sleep  the  serpent  which  guarded  it ; then  taking 
her  little  brother  Absyrtus  with  her,  ascended  the 
Argo  with  Jason,  and  the  ship  was  soon  at  sea. 

Who  assisted  him ? — How? — How  did  he  proceed? — Wliat 
was  the  result  ? 


172  T1IE  ARGOTS AUTIC  EXPEDITION. 

With  morning-dawn  iEetes  finding  the  Argo 
gone,  and  at  the  same  time  missing  his  daughter, 
was  filled  with  rage.  He  instantly  got  on  ship- 
board and  pursued  the  fugitives.  When  Medea 
saw  him  approaching,  she  laid  hold  on  her  brother, 
killed  him,  cut  his  body  into  pieces,  and  scattered 
them  on  the  waves ; and  while  Aretes  was  engaged 
in  collecting  them,  the  Argo  escaped.  The  king 
returned  to  bury  his  son.  He  sent  a part  of  his 
subjects  in  pursuit  of  his  unnatural  daughter, 
threatening  to  inflict  on  them  the  punishment  due 
to  her  if  they  returned  without  her. 

It  is  uncertain  in  what  manner  the  Argonauts 
came  round  to  the  Mediterranean,  through  which 
they  returned  to  Greece.  Some  say  they  sailed  up 
the  Phasis,  down  the  Ocean-stream  to  the  coast 
of  Libya,  over  which  they  carried  the  Argo  to  the 
Mediterranean ; others,  that  they  went  from  the 
Ocean  up  the  Nile.  Others,  again,  hold,  that  they 
went  up  the  Tanais,  and  so  into  the  northern  part 
of  the  Ocean,  and  round  by  the  straits  of  Gades. 
Another  set  of  writers  maintain,  that  their  course 
was  up  the  Ister  or  Danube,  and  that  they  carried 
the  Argo  overland  to  the  Eridanus,  down  which 
they  sailed  into  the  Keltic  or  Tyrrhenian  sea. 

As  the  Argonauts  were  sailing  by  the  Absyrtian 

How  was  AEetes  prevented  from  overtaking  the  Argo? — How 
lid  they  return?  


THE  AKGONAUTIC  EXPEDITION.  173 

islands  they  were  assailed  by  a storm ; and  the 
Argo  spoke,  and  told  them  that  fhe  wrath  of  Ju* 
piter  would  not  be  appeased  till  they  went  to  Au 
sonia  and  were  purified  by  Circe  from  the  guilt  of 
the  murder  of  Absyrtus. 

By  Circe,  who  was  aunt  to  Medea,  they  were 
kindly  received.  Leaving  her  island  they  passed 
by  that  of  the  Syrens,  against  whom  Orpheus  sang. 
They  escaped  Scylla  and  Charybdis,  and  at  length 
reached  Scheria,  the  isle  of  the  Phaeacians.  Here 
Jason  married  Medea.  They  sailed  thence  to 
Crete,  where  their  landing  was  opposed  by  Talos 
the  brazen  man,  but  Medea  by  her  art  caused  his 
death.  After  an  absence  of  four  months,  the 
Argo  at  length  arrived  safely  at  Iolcos. 

During  the  absence  of  Jason,  Pelias  had  caused 
the  death  of  his  father  and  mother  and  their  re- 
maining child.  Jason  concealed  his  resentment 
for  the  time,  and  delivered  to  him  the  precious 
Fleece ; but  he  secretly  committed  his  vengeance 
to  his  potent  wife.  Medea  used  every  art  to  in- 
gratiate herself  with  the  daughters  of  Pelias,  whom 
she  assured  that  she  possessed  the  secret  of  restor- 
ing youth  to  the  aged.  To  convince  them,  she  cut 
up  an  old  ram,  put  him  into  a pot  with  some  magic 
herbs,  and  forth  came  a bleating  lamb.  The  silly 


What  happened  near  the  Absyrtian  islands? — Describe  the 
rest  of  the  voyage. — What  was  done  with  the  Fleece  ? 


m 


THE  ARGONAUTIC  EXPEDITION. 


maidens  at  her  persuasion  killed  their  father  in 
order  to  renovate  his  youth  ; but  their  treacherous 
adviser  deserted  them,  and  thus  Pelias  perished. 

For  this  deed,  both  Jason  and  Medea  were 
forced  to  go  into  exile.  They  retired  to  Corinth, 
where  they  lived  happily,  till  Jason  falling  in  love 
with  Creiisa  the  daughter  of  the  king,  put  Medea 
away  and  espoused  that  princess.  Medea  dissem- 
bled her  rage,  and  sent  a splendid  robe  as  a pre- 
sent to  the  bride ; but  the  robe  was  poisoned,  and 
caused  the  death  of  both  Creiisa  and  her  father. 
She  then  put  to  death  the  two  children  whom  she 
had  borne  to  Jason ; and  mounting  her  chariot 
drawn  by  serpents  fled  to  Athens,  where  she  mar- 
ried iEgeus,  to  whom  she  bore  a son  named  Me- 
dus.  Having  failed  in  an  attempt  on  the  life  of 
Theseus  she  fled  to  Colchis,  and  her  son  became 
the  conqueror  of  the  country,  which  he  named 
from  himself  Media. 


When  his  daughter  Europa  had  been  carried  off 
by  Jupiter,  Agenor  despatched  his  son  Cadmus 
m quest  of  her,  ordering  him  never  to  return  till 

How  did  Medea  revenge  this  ? — What  was  the  close  of  Mo 
lea's  career? — Who  wa°  Cadmus  Describe  his  career 


CHAPTER  XII. 


THE  THEBAN  WARS 


THE  THEBAN  WARS. 


175 


he  had  found  her.  Having  searched  iu  vain  over 
land  and  sea,  Cadmus  went  to  inquire  of  the  ora- 
cle at  Delphi.  The  god  directed  him  to  give  over 
the  search,  to  follow  a cow  as  his  guide,  and  build 
a town  where  she  should  lie  down.  Quitting  the 
temple  he  went  through  Phocis,  and  meeting  there 
a cow  followed  her  along  the  valley.  His  guide 
went  on  through  the  future  Breotia,  and  at  length 
lay  down.  Cadmus  prepared  to  offer  her  in  sacri- 
fice to  Minerva,  his  protecting  deity,  and  sent 
some  of  his  companions  to  a neighbouring  fount 
to  draw  water  for  that  purpose.  The  fount  was 
guarded  by  a serpent  sacred  to  Mars,  who  killed 
the  greater  part  of  them.  Cadmus  then  went 
himself,  and  after  a severe  conflict  destroyed  the 
serpent.  By  the  direction  of  Minerva  he  sowed 
in  the  ground  the  teeth  of  the  dead  monster,  and 
instantly  there  arose  a crop  of  armed  men,  who 
prepared  to  attack  him.  Minerva  desired  him  to 
fling  stones  among  them  : — they  instantly  turned 
their  arms  against  each  other,  and  all  perished 
but  five.  These  joined  with  Cadmus  to  build  the 
town  which  was  named  Thebes,  and  their  poste- 
rity were  called  the  Sparti,  i.  e.  the  Sown. 

Cadmus  espoused  Harmonia  the  daughter  of 
Mars  and  Venus.  The  gods  honoured  the  wed- 


Pescribe  the  origin  of  Thebes. — The  marriage  of  Cadmuo 


176 


THE  TIIEBAN  WARS. 


ding  with  their  presence.  He  presented  his  bride 
with  a robe,  and  a golden  collar  the  work  of  Vul- 
can ; and  she  became  the  mother  of  four  daugh- 
ters, Semele,  Agave,  Ino,  and  Autonoe,  whose 
fates  have  been  already  related ; and  of  a sou 
named  Polydorus. 

In  his  old  age  Cadmus,  in  consequence  of  the 
misfortunes  of  his  family,  abandoned  Thebes,  and 
he  and  his  wife  retired  to  the  country  of  the  En 
cheleans  near  Illyria.  Here  Jupiter  turned  them 
both  into  serpents,  and  finally  sent  them  to  the 
Elysian  Plain  to  enjoy  an  eternity  of  bliss.  — 

Laius,  the  third  in  descent  from  Cadmus,  on 
mounting  the  throne  married  Jocasta  the  daughter 
of  Menceceus,  one  of  the  Sparti.  The  oracle,  on 
being  consulted,  told  him  he  should  meet  his  death 
from  the  hand  of  his  own  son.  Accordingly,  when 
a child  was  born  to  him,  he  took  the  innocent  babe, 
and  piercing  its  heels  gave  it  to  one  of  his  herds- 
men to  expose  on  Mount  Cithoeron  : but  the  herds- 
man, moved  to  compassion,  gave  it  to  the  neatherd 
of  Polybus  king  of  Corinth,  who  brought  it  to  his 
master.  Polybus,  who  was  childless,  reared  the  in- 
fant as  his  son,  and  named  it  CE'dipus,  i.  e.  Swoln- 
foot. 

When  CEdipus  was  grown  up,  it  chanced  one  day 


The  fate  of  Cadmus. — Who  was  CEdipus  ? — What  caused  hip 
being  sent  to  Corinth  ? 


THE  THEBAN  WARS. 


177 


that  at  a banquet  some  one  reproached  him  with 
being  a supposititious  child.  He  besought  his  mo- 
ther to  inform  him  of  the  truth,  but  she  would  give 
him  no  satisfaction.  To  clear  his  doubts,  he  had 
recourse  to  the  oracle  of  Apollo ; and  the  god  di- 
rected him  to  shun  his  native  country,  or  he  should 
be  the  slayer  of  his  father  and  the  husband  of  his 
mother.  He  forthwith  resolved  never  to  return  to 
Corinth,  where  as  he  thought  such  crimes  awaited 
him,  and  he  directed  his  course  through  Phocis. 
Here  in  a narrow  road  he  chanced  to  meet  an  old 
man  and  a herald  driving  in  a chariot,  and  on  his 
refusing  to  make  way  for  them  the  herald  killed 
one  of  his  horses.  Filled  with  rage  he  slew  both 
the  strangers,  and  then  pursued  his  journey.  /' 
CEdipus  some  time  afterwards  came  to  Thebes, 
where,  La’ius  being  now  dead,  the  throne  was  occu- 
pied by  Creon  the  son  of  Menoeceus.  The  The- 
bans were  at  this  time  greatly  afflicted  by  a mon- 
ster called  the  Sphinx.  She  had  the  face  of  a 
woman,  the  breast,  feet,  and  tail  of  a lion,  and  the 
wings  of  a bird.  She  sat  on  a hill,  and  proposed  a 
riddle  to  the  people;  and  when  they  failed  to  an- 
swer it,  she  carried  off  and  devoured  one  of  them. 
Pier  riddle  was  this  : “ What  is  that  which  has  one 

What  caused  his  leaving  Corinth  ? — Tell  about  his  coming  to 
Thebes. — Who  reigned  there? — Describe  the  Sphinx.  —Hei 
riddle. 


178 


THE  THEBAN  WAKS. 


voice,  is  four-footed,  two-footed,  and  at  last  three- 
footed  ?”  Creon  offered  his  throne  and  the  hand 
of  his  sister  Jocasta  to  whoever  could  solve  it. 
JEdipus  hearing  of  such  a reward,  came  forward 

nd  told  the  Sphinx  that  it  was  a man  ; who  when 
an  infant  creeps  on  all-fours,  when  a man  goes  on 
two  feet,  and  when  old  uses  a staff — a third  foot. 
The  Sphinx  cast  herself  down  from  the  rock  and 
was  killed ; and  CEdipus  became  the  husband  of 
Jocasta,  and  king  of  Thebes.  Jocasta  had  two 
sons,  Eteocles  and  Polynices  ; and  two  daughters, 
Antigone  and  Ismene. 

After  some  years  Thebes  was  afflicted  with 
famine  and  pestilence ; and  the  oracle  on  being 
applied  to,  directed  the  land  to  be  purged  of  the 
blood  that  defiled  it.  Inquiry  was  set  on  foot ; 
and  a variety  of  concurring  circumstances  proved, 
that  CEdipes  was  the  child  of  Laius  which  had 
been  exposed,  that  the  old  man  whom  he  had  killed 
was  Laius,  and  that  thus  unwittingly  he  had  com- 
mitted the  two  great  crimes  allotted  to  him  by  fate. 
On  this  discovery  being  made,  Jocasta  terminated 
her  existence  by  a cord,  and  her  wretched  son  and 
husband  in  despair  put  out  his  own  eyes.  He  was 
banished  from  Thebes,  and  accompanied  by  his 
daughters  wandered  about  till  he  came  to  the  grove 

Who  ''Solved  it  ? — How  ? — What  followed  ? — What  was  db 
covered  ? — What  was  the  consequence  ? 


TIIE  THEBAN  WARS 


179 


of  the  Eumenides  at  Colonos  neai  Athens,  and 
here  his  wretched  *ife  terminated  in  a miraculous 
manner. 

The  sons  of  CEdipus  agreed  to  reign  year  and 
year  about  Eteocles,  as  the  elder,  first  ascended 
the  throne ; but  at  the  expiration  of  the  year  he 
refused  to  resign  it  to  his  brother.  Polynices, 
taking  with  him  the  robe  and  collar  of  Harmonia, 
fled  to  Argos  to  seek  the  aid  of  its  king  Adrastus. 
It  was  night  when  he  arrived  before  the  palace- 
gate;  and  there  he  met  another  stranger,  Tydeus 
the  son  of  CEneus,  from  iEtolia.  A quarrel  arose 
between  them ; the  noise  brought  forth  Adrastus, 
who  when  he  looked  on  the  strangers  beheld  the 
accomplishment  of  an  oracle  which  had  been  given 
him, — namely,  that  he  should  marry  his  daughters 
to  a lion  and  a bear ; for  such  were  the  ensigns  on 
the  shields  of  the  combatants.  He  gave  them  his 
daughters  in  marriage,  and  engaged  to  restore 
each  of  them  to  his  country, 

The  Theban  expedition  was  the  first  resolved 
on,  and  all  the  valiant  chiefs  of  the  country  were 
invited  to  share  m it.  One  of  the  most  important 
persons  was  Amphiaraus,  the  brother-in-law  of 
Adrastus,  and  a celebrated  soothsayer : but  know- 
ing by  his  art  that  Adrastus  alone  would  escape 


The  sons  of  CEdipus? — The  Theban  expedition? 


180 


THE  TIIEBAN  WARS. 


from  the  war,  he  refused  to  share  in  it.  It  having 
been  agreed  between  him  and  Adrastus,  that  when- 
ever there  should  be  a difference  in  their  opinions, 
he  would  be  decided  by  the  advice  of  his  wife 
Eriphy'le,  Polynices  was  advised,  if  possible,  to 
gain  her  over  to  his  side.  He  presented  her  with 
the  collar  of  Harmonia,  and  Amphiaraiis  with  a 
sorrowing  heart  led  forth  his  troops.  Ere  he  de- 
parted, he  charged  his  sons  to  avenge  his  death, 
if  it  should  occur,  on  their  mother. 

The  army  marched  under  the  conduct  of  seven 
chiefs,  Adrastus,  Amphiaraiis,  Capaneus,  and  Hip- 
pomedon,  Argives ; the  Arcadian  Parthenopoeus, 
the  son  of  Atalanta ; the  iEtolian  Tydeus,  and 
the  Theban  Polynices.  They  passed  the  Isthmus 
and  encamped  on  the  banks  of  the  Asopus  at  the 
foot  of  Mount  Cithseron.  Here  they  despatched 
Tydeus  as  an  envoy  to  Thebes,  to  demand  the 
restitution  of  the  rights  of  Polynices.  Pie  chal 
lenged  the  Thebans  to  a trial  of  skill  and  strength, 
and  vanquished  them  with  ease.  As  he  returned, 
they  laid  an  ambush  of  fifty  men  for  him,  all  of 
whom  save  one  he  slew. 

The  Argive  host  appeared  before  Thebes.  Each 
chief  chose  one  of  its  seven  gates  as  the  object  of 
his  attack  ; Eteocles  set  as  many  in  number  to  op* 


What  is  said  of  Polynices  ? — Of  the  army  ? — Of  Tydeus  and 
his  exploits? — Of  the  Argive  host  ? 


THE  THEBAN  WARS. 


18J 


pose  them.  Tiresias  the  Theban  seer  declared 
that  victory  would  fall  to  Thebes,  if  Menoeoeus 
the  son  of  Creon  offered  himself  a voluntary  vic- 
tim ; and  the  heroic  youth  slew  himself  before  one 
of  the  gates.  The  fight  began,  and  the  Thebans 
were  driven  back  into  the  town.  Capaneus  placed 
a ladder  against  the  wall,  and  was  mounting  it, 
when  Jupiter,  to  punish  his  impious  language,  struck 
him  with  a thunderbolt.  The  Argives  fell  back, 
and  many  were  slain.  It  was  now  agreed  that  the 
two  brothers  should  decide  their  quarrel  by  single 
combat.  They  joyfully  accepted  the  proposal,  and 
fought  with  such  animosity  that  they  perished  by 
mutual  wounds.  On  their  fall  the  battle  was  re- 
newed, and  victory  declared  for  the  Thebans. 
The  Argive  leaders  were  all  slain  except  Adrastus, 
who  escaped  by  the  fleetness  of  his  steed  Arion. 
Tydeus  being  wounded,  Minerva  was  hastening 
with  a medicine  to  his  relief;  but  Amphiaraiis,  who 
hated  him  as  a chief  cause  of  the  war,  cut  off  the 
head  of  Melanippus  the  Theban,  who  had  given 
[lim  his  wound,  and  brought  it  to  him.  The  savage 
warrior  opened  it  and  devoured  the  brain,  and  the 
goddess  withdrew  in  disgust.  As  Amphiaraiis  fled 
in  his  chariot  along  the  banks  of  the  Ismenus, 
Jupiter  lanched  a thunderbolt ; and  the  ground 

Of  Tiresias? — The  fight? — The  sipple  combat? — 1 13  result? 
—Of  Tydeus  ? — Amphiaraus  ? — Minerva  ? 

16 


THE  THEBAN  WARS 

opening,  engulphed  him,  his  chariot,  and  his  Uni 
noteer. 

Creon,  who  was  now  king,  forbade  the  bodies 
of  the  Argives  to  be  buried.  Antigone,  despising 
his  menaces,  gave  sepulture  to  the  remains  of  Po 
lynices ; and  the  ruthless  monarch  entombed  her 
alive.  Adrastus  flying  to  Athens  sought  aid  of 
Theseus,  who  led  an  army  to  Thebes,  and  com- 
pelled Creon  to  give  up  the  bodies  of  the  slain. 
Evadne  the  wife  of  Capaneus  flung  herself  amid 
the  flames  of  the  pyre  on  which  his  remains  were 
consumed,  and  perished. 

Ten  years  afterwards  the  Epigoni,  i.  e.  the  sons 
of  the  chiefs  who  had  fallen  before  Thebes,  re- 
solved to  avenge  the  fate  of  their  sires.  The  oracle 
being  consulted,  said  they  would  be  victorious  if 
led  by  Alcmteon  the  son  of  Amphiaraiis ; and 
Thersander  the  son  of  Polynices  giving  to  Eri- 
phyle  the  robe  of  Harmonia,  she  induced  Alcmseon 
not  only  to  abandon  his  design  of  punishing  her 
for  the  death  of  his  father,  but  to  take  the  com- 
mand of  the  expedition.  Diomedes  the  son  of 
Tydeus,  and  Sthenelus  the  son  of  Capaneus,  were 
the  most  distinguished  of  the  other  chiefs.  AAW 

The  Thebans  were  defeated  in  the  first  engage- 
ment, and  by  the  advice  of  Tiresias  they  aban* 

I Creon  ? — Antigone  ? — Adrastus  ? — Evadne  ? — The  Epigoni  ?— 
The  oracle  1 — Alemaeon  ? — Diomedes  ? 


THE  THEBAN  WARS. 


183 


doned  the  city  and  fled  away  during  the  night. 
The  aged  soothsayer,  who  had  now  lived  through 
seven  generations,  and  had  seen  the  rise,  the  for- 
tunes and  the  fall  of  Thebes,  was  not  fated  to 
outlive  the  city,  and  that  very  night  he  expired  at 
the  fount  of  Tilphussa.  The  Argives  plundered 
the  town,  and  placed  Thersander  on  the  throne. 

Alcmseon  now  consulted  the  oracle  of  Apollo,  to 
know  how  he  should  punish  his  mother  for  her 
cupidity  and  her  treachery  to  his  father  and  him- 
self ; and  he  was  directed  by  the  god  to  put  her 
to  death.  He  obeyed,  but  was  instantly  assailed 
by  her  Erinnys.  He  roamed  in  madness  through 
Arcadia,  and  at  length  was  purified  by  Phegeus 
of  Psophis,  who  gave  him  his  daughter  Arsinoe  in 
marriage ; and  he  presented  his  bride  with  the  fa- 
tal robe  and  collar  of  Harmonia.  But  a dearth 
oppressed  the  land  on  his  account ; and  the  oracle 
directed  him  to  go  and  build  a town  on  the  river 
Acheloiis.  Alcmseon  set  forth,  and  at  the  springs 
of  the  Achelous  was  purified  by  the  river-god 
himself,  who  gave*  him  in  marriage  his  daughter 
Callirrhoe  {Fair -flowing),  and  he  built  his  town  on 
the  soil  deposited  by  the  stream  at  its  mouth.  ^ 

Callirrhoe  now  longed  for  the  robe  and  collar 
of  Harmonia ; and  Alcmoeon  returning  to  Arcadia, 

What  was  the  success  of  the  Epigoni  at  Thebes  ?— Relate  the 
subsequent  fortunes  of  Alcmaeon. — Of  Callirrhoe. 


184  THE  THEBAN  WARS. 

and  telling  Phegeus  that  his  madness  would  never 
depart  till  he  had  deposited  them  in  the  temple  of 
Apollo  at  Delphi,  obtained  them  from  him.  But 
his  servant  betrayed  his  secret ; and  the  sons  of 
Phegeus,  by  the  direction  of  their  father,  lay  in 
wait  and  slew  him.  Callirrhoe  on  learning  the  fate 
of  her  husband,  prayed  to  Jupiter  that  her  two 
young  sons  might  at  once  attain  to  manly  age. 
Her  prayer  was  granted,  and  the  youths  hastened 
to  avenge  their  sire.  They  met  and  slew  the  sons 
of  Phegeus,  who  were  on  their  way  to  dedicate  the 
robe  and  collar  to  Apollo  at  Delphi,  and  then  went 
to  Psophis  and  killed  Phegeus  and  his  wife.  They 
brought  to  their  mother  the  fatal  treasures,  and  by 
the  direction  of  Acheloiis  the  robe  and  collar  were 
deposited  in  the  temple  of  the  Delphian  god. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

THE  TROJAN  WAR. 

Electra  the  daughter  of  Atlas  bore  to  Jupiter 
a son  named  Dardanus.  He  dwelt  in  Samothrace, 
but  afterwards  passed  over  to  the  adjoining  coast 
of  Asia,  where  Teucer  the  son  of  the  river-god 
Scamander  reigned.  Teucer  gave  him  his  daugh- 
ter in  marriage,  and  left  him  his  throne. 


Her  sons. — Who  was  Dardanus’s  mother? 


THE  TROJAN  WAR. 


185 


Tros  the  grandson  of  Dardanus  had  three  sont>, 
Ilus,  Assaracus,  and  Ganymedes.  The  last  wat 
for  his  beauty  carried  off  by  the  gods  to  be  the 
cup-bearer  of  Jupiter,  who  gave  Tros  in  recom- 
pense some  horses  of  the  Olympian  breed.  Assa- 
racus married  a daughter  of  the  river-god  Simo'is, 
and  had  a son  named  Capys,  who  was  the  fatner 
of  Anchises,  to  whom  the  goddess  Venus  bore  a 
son  named  iEneas. 

Ilus  was  directed  by  the  oracle  to  follow  a spot- 
ted cow,  and  build  a town  where  she  should  lie 
down.  The  cow  led  him  to  a hill  called  the  Hill 
of  Mischief  (Ate),  where  he  built  a town  named 
from  himself  Ilion,  and  Troy  from  his  father  On 
the  prayer  of  Ilus,  Jupiter  sent  him  from  heaven 
an  image  of  Minerva  called  the  Palladium.  It 
was  three  ells  long : in  one  hand  it  held  a spear, 
in  the  other  a distaff  and  spindle.  The  safety  of 
Troy  depended  on  its  preservation. 

Laomedon  succeeded  his  father  Ilus.  He  had 
several  children  by  his  queen,  the  daughter  of  the 
river-god  Scamander,  of  whom  the  principal  were, 
Tithonus,  who  was  carried  off  by  Aurora  ; Priam, 
who  succeeded  his  father;  and  Hesione,  whom 
Hercules  delivered  from  the  sea-monster. 

Priam  married  Hecuba  the  daughter  of  Cisseus. 

His  father-in-law  ? — Relate  the  story  of  Tros. — Of  Ilus. — OI 
ihe  Palladium. — Of  Laomedon. 


186 


THE  TROJAN  WAR. 

Their  children  were  Hector,  Paris  or  Alexandei 
De'i'phobus,  Helenus,  Tro'ilus,  Cassandra,  Creiisa, 
Poly'xena,  and  others.  The  entire  number  of  Pri, 
am’s  children,  legitimate  and  illegitimate,  was  fifty. 

When  Hecuba  was  about  to  give  birth  to  Paris 
she  had  a dream,  m which  it  appeared  to  her  that 
she  brought  forth  a torch  which  set  all  Ilion  in 
flames.  Priam  sent  for  his  son  iE'sacus,  who  had 
been  taught  the  interpretation  of  dreams  by  his 
grandfather  Merops,  in  order  to  learn  what  this 
might  portend  ; and  iEsacus  declared  that  the  child 
about  to  be  born  would  be  the  destruction  of  his 
country.  Pie  recommended  that  it  should  be  ex- 
posed ; and  accordingly  the  babe  as  soon  as  it  came 
into  the  world  was  given  to  a servant  to  be  left 
upon  Mount  Ida.  The  man  obeyed  his  orders  ; but 
curiosity  leading  him  back  to  the  place  five  days 
afterwards  to  see  what  was  become  of  the  babe, 
he  found  a bear  engaged  in  suckling  it.  Struck 
with  the  sight  he  took  it  home  and  reared  it  as  his 
own,  and  named  it  Paris.  When  Paris  grew  up, 
he  distinguished  himself  by  his  strength  and  cou- 
rage in  repelling  robbers  from  the  flocks,  and  the 
shepherds  called  him  Alexander  ( Man-aider ).  Pie 
married  the  nymph  CEnone,  daughter  of  the  river- 
god  Kebren,  whom  Rhea  had  taught  prophecy.  It 
was  while  Paris  was  in  the  mountains  that  the  three 


Of  Priam. — His  children. — Of  Hecuba. — Of  Paris 


THE  TROJAN  WAR. 


187 


goddesses  chose  him  as  the  judge  of  their  beauty  , 
and  being  shortly  afterwards  recognised  by  his 
father,  he  at  the  instigation  of  Venus  sailed  to 
Greece  and  carried  off  Helen.  CEnone  warned  him 
in  vain  of  the  fatal  consequences  of  his  enterprise 
• Jupiter,  it  is  said,  had,  under  the  form  of  a 
beautiful  white  swan,  gained  the  love  of  Leda  the 
wife  of  Ty'ndareus.  She  produced  from  two  eggs 
four  children  ; c£  whom  Pollux  and  Helen  were  of 
celestial,  Castor  and  Clytcemnestra  of  mortal  de- 
scent. Clytasmnestra  was  married  to  Agamemnon 
king  of  Mycenoe ; and  to  Helen,  who  was  unrivalled 
in  beauty,  all  the  princes  of  Greece  came  a-wooing. 
Tyndareus  was  uncertain  what  to  do,  fearing  to 
make  a choice.  At  length  Ulysses,  one  of  the 
suitors,  thinking  he  had  but  a slender  chance  of 
success,  told  him,  that  if  he  would  engage  to  obtain 
for  him  the  hand  of  his  niece  Penelope,  he  would 
relieve  him  from  his  embarrassment.  Tyndareus 
gladly  consented ; and  Ulysses  then  told  him,  that 
he  had  only  to  exact  an  oath  from  all  the  suitors, 
that  in  case  of  any  violence  or  injury  being  offered 
to  the  fortunate  candidate  they  would  all  aid  in 
procuring  him  satisfaction.  They  readily  swore  ; 
and  then  Tyndareus  declared  that  he  accepted  Mene- 
laus  the  brother  of  Agamemnon  for  his  son-in-law. 

Paris,  the  son  of  Priam  king  of  Troy,  came 


His  adventures.— Helen.— What  is  related  of  Ulysses? 


188 


THE  TROJAN  WAR. 


some  time  afterwards  to  the  house  of  Meneiaus  it 
Laconia.  He  was  received  with  the  greatest  kind 
ness, — a hospitality  which  he  ungenerously  repaid 
by  seducing  the  affections  of  the  wife  of  his  host. 
Helen  fled  with  him  to  Troy;  and  Meneiaus  in- 
stantly calling  on  his  former  rivals  to  aid  him  in 
the  recovery  of  his  wife,  they  began  to  assemble 
men  in  all  parts  of  Greece.  Meneiaus  himself  and 
Ulysses  were  sent  to  Troy  to  demand  the  restitu- 
tion of  Helen  ; but  Priam,  swayed  by  his  affection 
for  Paris,  refused  to  give  her  up,  and  the  Greeks 
prepared  to  invade  his  dominions.  — - 

The  troops  assembled  at  Aul is  in  Boeotia.  The 
principal  chiefs  were  the  venerable  Nestor  king  of 
Pylos,  and  his  sons  Antilochus  and  Thrasymedes  ; 
Ulysses  son  of  Laertes  king  of  Ithaca ; Diomedes 
son  of  Tydeus,  and  his  friend  Sthenelus  the  son 
of  Capaneus,  came  from  Argos  ; Ajax  and  Teucer 
the  sons  of  Telamon,  from  the  isle  of  Salamis; 
Achilles  son  of  Peleus,  and  his  friend  Patroclus, 
from  Phthia  in  Thessaly ; Protesilaiis  also  from 
Thessaly ; Philoctetes  the  son  of  Pceas  (to  whom 
his  father  had  given  the  bow  and  arrows  of  Her- 
cules), from  Melibcea  in  the  same  country ; Ma- 
ch aon  and  Podalirius  the  sons  of  Aesculapius,  re* 
nowned  for  their  skill  in  treating  wounds,  led  the 

Meneiaus  ? — Paris  ? — Helen  ? — Meneiaus  and  Priam  ? — The 
Greeks  ? — Their  chiefs  ? 


THE  TROJAN  WAR. 


189 


troops  of  Tricca  and  Ithome : ldomeneus,  those 
of  Crete.  Many  other  valiant  chiefs  were  presenl 
from  all  parts  of  Greece.  Calchas  was  the  sooth- 
sayer. The  chief  command  was  given  to  Aga- 
memnon king  of  Mycenae : and  the  number  of 
ships  collected  exceeded  a thousand. 

While  the  Greeks  were  preparing  to  set  sail, 
Agamemnon  chanced,  when  hunting,  to  kill  a hind 
sacred  to  Diana.  The  goddess  in  her  wrath  sent 
an  adverse  wind,  and  the  fleet  was  unable  to  stir. ' 
Calchas  declaring  that  the  goddess  could  only  be 
appeased  by  the  blood  of  one  of  the  children  of 
the  offender,  Agamemnon  was  obliged  to  send 
for  his  daughter  Iphigenia,  under  the  pretence 
of  marrying  her  to  Achilles.  When  the  innocent 
maiden  arrived  at  the  camp,  she  was  led  as  a vic- 
tim to  the  altar  of  Diana : she  knelt  down,  and  the 
priest  struck  her  with  his  knife ; but  found  to  his 
surprise  that  it  was  a hind  he  had  slain ; for  the 
goddess  relenting,  had  snatched  Iphigenia  away, 
and  substituted  a hind  in  her  place.  She  carried 
her  off  to  the  Tauric  Chersonesus,  and  there  set 
her  to  officiate  at  her  altars,  on  which  were  sacri- 
ficed all  the  strangers  who  arrived  on  the  coast. 

All  impediments  being  now  removed,  the  fleet 
set  sail,  and  a favouring  wind  carried  it  to  the  isle 
of  Lemnos.  Here  Philoctetes  in  displaying  his 


Who  had  the  chief  command  ? -Tell  the  story  of  Iphigenia. 


190 


THE  TROJAN  WAR. 


skill  in  archery  chanced  to  let  one  of  the  arrows 
fall  upon  his  foot ; and  the  stench  of  the  wound 
and  his  horrible  cries  were  so  annoying  to  the 
Greeks  that  they  sailed  away,  leaving  him  alone, 
in  the  island. 

The  Trojans  led  by  Hector  came  down  to  op- 
pose their  landing;  and  Protesilaiis,  the  first  whc 
leaped  ashore,  fell  by  his  spear.  The  landing, 
however,  was  effected ; and  the  Greeks  drew  up 
their  ships  on  the  beach,  and  erected  huts  and 
booths  for  themselves  along  the  shore. 

The  war  continued  for  the  space  of  ten  years, 
for  the  Trojans  were  powerfully  assisted  from 
Thrace,  and  from  Mysia,  Lycia,  Phrygia,  and  the 
surrounding  countries.  In  the  tenth  year  Apollo 
sent  a plague  among  the  Greeks,  in  punishment  of 
the  insult  offered  to  his  priest  Chryses  by  Aga- 
memnon, who  refused  to  restore  to  him  his  daugh 
ter  for  ransom.  This  produced  a quarrel  between 
Agamemnon  and  Achilles,  the  bravest  chief  in 
the  Grecian  host.  Achilles  refusing  to  take  any 
further  part  in  the  war,  success  was  on  the  side  of 
the  Trojans.  At  length  his  friend  Patroclus  being 
slain  by  Hector,  he  resumed  his  arms,  and  the 
Trojan  chief  fell  by  his  might.  Pie  ungenerously 
fastened  the  body  of  the  noble  Hector  to  his  cha- 

Of  Philoctetes. — Of  the  landing. — How  long  did  the  war  last 
'-What  is  said  of  Apollo  ? — of  Achilles  ? — Patroclus  ? 


THE  TROJAN  WAR. 


191 


riot,  and  dragged  him  round  the  walls  of  Troy  in 
sight  of  his  afflicted  parents  and  kindred.  Moved 
at  length  by  the  supplications  of  Priam,  who  came 
in  person  to  his  tent,  he  restored  the  body  for  a 
ransom;  and  the  Trojans  celebrated  with  mourti- 
ing  hearts  the  obsequies  of  him  who  had  been  the 
hope  and  stay  of  Troy.  \ 

Shortly  after  the  funeral  of  Hector,  Penthesilea 
daughter  of  Mars,  the  warlike  queen  of  the  Ama- 
zons, arrived  at  Troy  with  a troop  of  her  female 
warriors.  Her  appearance  raised  the  hopes  of  the 
dispirited  Trojans ; the  chief  command  was  con- 
ferred upon  her,  and  victory  was  once  more  taking 
the  side  of  Troy,  when  Achilles  coming  into  the 
field  slew  the  Amazonian  queen,  and  her  com- 
panions fell  by  the  hand  of  Ajax.  Achilles,  struck 
with  her  beauty  as  she  lay  sunk  in  death,  lamented 
his  deed  and  restored  her  body  to  the  Trojans. 

An  illustrious  ally  now  appeared  on  the  side  of 
Troy.  Scarcely  had  the  funeral  flames  consumed 
the  remains  of  Penthesilea,  when  Memnon,  the  son 
of  Tithonus  and  the  goddess  of  the  Dawn,  arrived 
from  the  eastern  shore  of  Ocean  with  an  army  of 
h:s  swarthy  ^Ethiopians  to  assist  the  kindred  of  his 
father.  Memnon  was  received  with  the  greatest 
honours  by  king  Priam,  who  listened  with  admi- 
ration to  his  narrative  of  the  wonders  of  the  shore 


Penthesilea  ? — Memnon  ? 


THE  TROJAN  WAR. 


19  3 

of  Ocean,  and  the  perils  of  the  road  thither ; and 
the  aged  monarch  felt  hope  revive  in  his  bosom 
as  he  viewed  the  numbers  and  the  strength  of  the 
/Ethiopian  warriors. 

The  very  day  after  his  arrival,  Memnon  impa- 
tient of  repose  led  his  troops  to  the  field.  Anti- 
lochus  the  brave  son  of  Nestor  fell  by  his  hand, 
and  the  Greeks  were  put  to  flight,  when  Achilles 
appeared  and  restored  the  battle.  A long  and  du- 
bious conflict  ensued  between  him  and  the  son  of 
Aurora : at  length  victory  declared  for  the  son  of 
Thetis;  Memnon  fell,  and  the  Trojans  fled  in 
dismay. 

Aurora,  who  from  her  station  in  the  sky  had 
viewed  with  apprehension  the  danger  of  her  son, 
when  she  saw  him  fallen  directed  his  brothers  the 
Winds  to  convey  his  body  to  the  banks  of  the  river 
iEsepus  in  Paphlagonia.  The  troops  of  Memnon 
vanished,  to  the  amazement  of  both  Greeks  and 
Trojans,  and  shrouded  in  mist  followed  the  corpse 
of  their  prince  through  the  air.  In  the  evening 
Aurora  came  accompanied  by  the  Hours  and  the 
Pleiades,  and  wept  and  lamented  over  her  son : 
Night,  in  sympathy  with  her  grief,  spread  the  hea- 
ven with  clouds, — all  nature  mourned  for  the  off- 
spring of  the  Dawn.  The  ^Ethiopians  raised  his 
tomb  on  the  banks  of  the  stream  in  the  grove  of 


His  fate  ? — Aurora  ? 


THE  TROJAN  WAR. 


193 


he  Nymphs,  and  the  goddess  then  turned  them 
into  the  birds  named  Memnons,  which  fight  con- 
tinually over  the  tomb  of  their  master.  , 

The  days  of  Achilles  himself  now  drdw  to  their 
close.  He  had  been  given  the  choice  of  a long  and 
inglorious  life  in  Phthia,  or  a glorious  death  before 
Troy,  and  he  had  magnanimously  chosen  the  latter 
He  had  pursued  the  flying  Trojans  to  the  Sca)aii 
Gate,  when  Apollo  descended  from  heaven  and 
warned  him  to  retire.  He  replied  with  threats, 
and  the  god  in  anger  shot  him  in  the  heel  with  one 
of  his  arrows.  Although  thus  mortally  wounded, 
he  continued  to  slay  the  Trojans ; but  at  length 
he  fell  lifeless  to  the  earth.  A furious  conflict 
arose  for  the  possession  of  his  body,  but  the 
Greeks  brought  it  off,  chiefly  through  the  prowess 
of  Ajax  the  son  of  Telamon.  Thetis,  accompa- 
nied by  the  Muses  and  the  Nereides,  came  and 
mourned  over  her  son,  and  his  obsequies  were 
performed  as  became  those  of  the  bravest  of  the 
Greeks.  Funeral  games  were  celebrated  at  the 
desire  of  Thetis,  in  which  the  principal  heroes 
contended.  The  goddess  then  proposed  the  arms 
which  Vulcan  had  made  for  Achilles  as  the  prize 
of  him  who  should  be  judged  to  have  been  most 
instrumental  in  saving  his  body,  and  to  be  the 
bravest  warrior.  The  claimants  were  Ulysses,  and 

Tell  the  story  of  Achilles’  death. — Of  his  arms. 


194 


THE  TROJAN  WAR. 


Ajax  son  of  Telamon.  Some  captive  Trojans  were 
appointed  to  sit  as  judges ; each  chief  pleaded  his 
cause  before  them,  and  the  celestial  arms  were 
awarded  to  the  son  of  Laertes.  Ajax  lost  his  senses 
with  rage ; and  in  his  frenzy  taking  a flock  of  sheep 
for  the  Greeks,  he  fell  upon  and  slaughtered  them. 
On  recovering  his  reason  and  seeing  what  he  had 
done,  he  slew  himself  with  his  own  hand,  -p 
The  Greeks  having  now  lost  their  two  bravest 
chiefs,  began  to  despair  of  taking  Troy.  But  Cal- 
chas  reminding  them  that  Achilles  had  left  a son, 
advised  that  they  should  invite  him  to  the  war. 
For  Thetis,  anxious  to  keep  her  son  from  going  to 
Troy,  where  he  was  fated  to  perish,  had  concealed 
him  in  female  apparel  at  the  court  of  Lycomedes 
king  of  the  isle  of  Scyros,  and  here  he  espoused 
the  princess  Deidamia  the  daughter  of  his  host 
Ulysses  hearing  he  was  there,  went  disguised  as  a 
merchant  to  the  palace,  and  offered  for  sale  female 
ornaments,  among  which  he  had  placed  some 
arms.  These  last  drew  the  attention  of  Achilles  : 
the  fictitious  merchant  recognised  him,  and  by  his 
arguments  induced  him  to  accompany  the  Greeks 
to  Troy.  It  was  now  determined  to  send  Ulysses 
and  Diomedes  to  fetch  Neoptolemus  the  son  of 
Achilles  to  the  aid  of  the  Greeks. 

. Meantime  Eury'pylus,  son  of  Telephus  and 


Of  Aiax. — Tell  the  story  of  Achilles  at  the  court  of  Lvcomedes. 


THE  TROJAN  WAR. 


19. 


grandson  of  Hercules,  had  arrived  in  Troy  with 
an  army  of  Mysians.  In  the  first  engagement  the 
Greeks  were  routed,  and  the  Trojans  and  their 
allies  encamped  before  the  ships.  After  a truce 
for  burying  the  dead  the  conflict  was  renewed ; and 
while  it  was  raging,  the  ship  which  bore  Neoptc- 
emus  arrived.  The  chiefs  arrayed  him  instantly 
ji  the  arms  of  his  father,  and  his  deeds  proclaimed 
his  origin.  Night  put  a period  to  the  conflict. 
Next  morning  the  two  hosts  engaged  anew  : Eury- 
pylus  fell  by  the  arms  of  Neoptolemus ; the  Tro- 
jans were  routed,  and  the  Greeks  assailed  the 
town ; but  Jupiter,  at  the  prayer  of  Ganymedes, 
spread  a cloud  over  it,  and  they  retired. 

Still  Troy  could  not  be  taken  without  the  ar- 
rows  of  Hercules,  for  so  it  was  decreed  by  the 
Fates.  By  the  advice  of  Calchas,  Ulysses  and 
Diomedes  were  sent  to  fetch  Philoctetes  from  the 
isle  of  Lemnos.  On  his  arriving  at  the  camp  his 
wound  was  cured  by  Podalirius,  and  the  chiefs 
apologized  for  their  former  ill  treatment  of  him. 
Philoctetes  when  restored  to  vigour  was  eager  for 
war.  The  Trojans  on  their  side  came  boldly  forth 
to  meet  their  enemies. 

In  the  battle  which  ensues,  Paris  is  wounded 
by  one  of  the  fatal  arrows  of  Philoctetes.  Recol- 
lecting the  words  of  his  deserted  CEnone, — that 


Of  Neoptolemus. — His  exploits.— Philoctetes. 


196 


THE  TROJAN  WAR. 


she  alone  could  cure  him, — he  causes  himself  tc 
be  borne  to  her  dwelling  on  Mount  Ida.  He  im- 
plores her  compassion ; but  she  is  deaf  to  his  en- 
treaties, and  he  returns  to  Ilion  to  die.  But  when 
GEnone  heard  that  he  was  dead,  her  tenderness 
revived ; and  secretly  quitting  her  abode,  she  tra- 
velled in  the  night  through  the  mountains.  With 
morning  she  reached  Troy ; and  beholding  the 
burning  pyre  of  Paris,  flung  herself  into  the  flames, 
and  was  consumed  with  him  whom  she  had  loved. 

The  fatal  day  of  Troy  was  now  at  hand.  The 
Greeks  by  the  advice  of  Ulysses,  and  with  the 
aid  of  Minerva,  construct  a huge  horse  of  wood 
within  which  the  bravest  of  their  warriors  conceal 
themselves.  Then  feigning  to  depart,  they  burn 
their  huts  and  booths,  and  sail  away  for  the  isle  of 
Tenedos.  A Greek  named  Sinon  remained  be- 
hind ; and  throwing  himself  in  the  way  of  the  Tro- 
jans when  they  came  forth  next  morning  from  the 
city,  told  them  that  the  horse  was  sacred  to  Mi- 
nerva, and  would  be  the  preservation  of  the  city, 
if  admitted  into  it.  Laocoon  maintained  that  Si- 
non  was  an  impostor,  and  advised  to  burn  the 
horse.  Minerva  struck  him  with  blindness ; but 
he  still  persisted  in  his  remonstrances,  when  two 
enormous  serpents  came  out  of  the  sea  and  de- 
voured his  two  children.  Struck  by  these  prodi- 


Paris  and  (Enone. — The  wooden  horse  — S\non. — Laocoon. 


THE  TROJAN  WAR. 


197 


gies.  the  Trojans  drew  the  horse  into  the  town 
In  the  night  Sinon  displayed  a lighted  torch  (the 
appointed  signal),  and  opened  the  fatal  horse.  The 
warriors  descend,  the  fleet  returns,  the  gates  are 
opened,  the  Trojans  massacred  in  their  sleep,  and 
the  city  taken.  De’iphobus  the  bravest  of  the  re- 
maining sons  of  Priam,  who  had  married  Helen 
after  the  death  of  Paris,  is  slain  by  Menelaiis. 
The  aged  monarch  himself  perishes  by  the  hand 
of  Neoptolemus  at  the  altar  of  Jupiter.  Asty'anax 
the  orphan  child  of  Hector  is  flung  from  the  sum- 
mit of  a tower,  and  his  mother  Andromache  re- 
duced to  slavery : the  same  fate  befalls  Hecuba 
and  her  daughters.  Troy  is  no  more  ! 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

THE  RETURN  OF  THE  GREEKS. 

When  Troy  was  burned,  and  the  booty  and  cap- 
tives collected  and  divided,  the  Grecian  chiefs  be- 
gan to  prepare  for  their  return  to  their  long-left 
homes.  While  they  were  thus  engaged,  the  ghost 
of  Achilles  appeared  on  his  tomb,  and  menacing 
them  with  his  wrath  in  case  of  refusal,  demanded 
the  sacrifice  of  Poly'xena  one  of  the  daughters  of 
king  Priam.  The  hapless  virgin  was  torn  from  the 


The  fall  of  Troy. — Tell  the  story  of  Polyxena 


198  TIIE  RETURN  OF  THE  GREEKS 

army  of  her  aged  mother,  and  immolated  at  the 
tomb  of  the  ruthless  Achilles.  Hecuba  losing  hei 
senses  with  grief,  was  turned  into  a dog,  and 
finally  changed  by  the  gods  into  a stone. 

All  being  now  ready,  the  Greeks  set  sail  in  dif 
ferent  divisions.  They  encountered  tremendous 
tempests  on  their  voyage,  and  but  few  of  them 
reached  their  homes  in  safety.  They  had  also  an 
enemy  in  their  own  country,  who  contributed  all 
in  his  power  to  their  destruction.  This  was  Nau- 
plius,  the  son  of  Neptune  and  father  of  Palamedes. 
The  cause  of  his  enmity  was  this  : — 

When  the  Grecian  army  was  assembling  for  the 
war  with  Troy,  Ulysses  to  avoid  sharing  in  it 
feigned  madness  ; he  ploughed  the  ground  with  a 
horse  and  an  ox,  and  sowed  it  with  salt.  Palame- 
des one  of  the  Grecian  chiefs,  taking  Telemachus, 
the  infant  son  of  Ulysses,  placed  him  in  the  way 
of  the  plough,  and  Ulysses  turned  aside  to  avoid 
injuring  him.  It  being  now  evident  that  his  mad- 
ness was  not  real,  he  was  obliged  to  follow  to  the 
war.  Pie  resolved  to  be  revenged  on  Palamedes, 
and  during  the  siege  he  secretly  caused  gold  to  be 
buried  in  his  tent,  and  then  accused  him  of  being 
bribed  by  the  Trojans.  The  Grecian  chiefs  be- 
lieving the  calumny  put  Palamedes  to  death. 

Nauplius  out  of  revenge  now  kindled  fires  on 


Of  Naupliut*. — Ilis  revenge. 


THE  RETURN  OF  THE  GREEKS.  199 

!he  heights  during  the  storm,  and  thus  caused 
several  of  the  Grecian  ships  to  run  ashore  and  be 
wrecked. 

The  venerable  Nestor  reached  his  native  land 
in  safety.  Diomedcs  on  arriving  in  Argos  found 
that  his  wife  had  proved  faithless  to  him,  and  he 
was  obliged  to  retire  and  form  a settlement  in 
Italy.  Philoctetes  also  established  himself  in  that 
country.  Idomeneus  vowed  during  the  tempest 
that  if  he  escaped  he  wrould  offer  as  a victim  to 
the  gods  whatever  first  met  him  on  his  arrival  in 
Crete.  His  own  son  was  the  first  he  met : he  ful- 
filled his  vow,  and  the  Cretans  in  indignation  drove 
him  from  their  island ; and  he  too  retired  to  Italy. 
Teucer  the  son  of  Telamon  was  driven  from  Sala- 
mis  by  his  father,  for  not  having  avenged  the  death 
of  his  brother  Ajax.  He  went  to  the  isle  of  Cy- 
prus and  built  a town,  which  he  named  Salamis, 
Ajax  Oileus  the  Locrian,  having  in  the  capture  of 
Troy  profaned  the  temple  of  Minerva,  the  goddess 
struck  his  ship  with  lightning  ; and  as  he  grasped 
a rock  to  save  himself,  Neptune  split  it  with  a blow 
of  his  trident,  and  precipitated  him  into  the  waves, 
where  he  perished.  Neoptolemus,  to  whose  share 
of  the  captives  Helenus  the  son  of  Priam  and  An- 
dromache the  widow  of  Hector  had  fallen,  reached 

Of  Nestor. — Diomedfis.— Philoctetes. — Idomeneus. — Teucer. — 
\jax  Oileus  — Neoptolemus. 


200  THE  RETURN  OF  TI1E  GREEKS. 

his  home  in  safety ; but  having  married  Hernrione 
the  daughter  of  Menelaus,  he  was  slain  at  Delphi 
by  Orestes  the  son  of  Agamemnon,  to  whom  she 
had  been  engaged. 

Agamemnon  accompanied  by  his  captive  Cas- 
sandra reached  his  native  realm  in  safety.  But 
during  his  absence  his  wife  Clytsemnestra  had 
lost  sight  of  her  conjugal  duties,  and  had  trans- 
ferred her  affection  to  iEgisthus  the  son  of  hi? 
uncle  Thyestes.  The  guilty  pair  had  resolved  on 
the  death  of  the  injured  monarch,  whom  Cassan- 
dra warned  in  vain  of  his  impending  fate. 

On  his  arrival  Agamemnon  was  received  with 
all  the  marks  of  respect  and  affection  by  his  faith- 
less spouse.  But  at  the  banquet  held  in  the  even- 
ing to  celebrate  his  safe  return,  he  and  his  com- 
panions were  fallen  on  by  iEgisthus  and  his  con- 
federates, and  all  after  a bloody  contest  were  mas- 
sacred. Cassandra  also  shared  their  fate.  JSgis- 
thus  now  espoused  the  partner  of  his  crime,  and 
took  possession  of  the  throne. 

Their  guilt,  however,  did  not  go  unpunished. 
Orestes  the  young  son  of  Agamemnon  had  been 
saved  by  his  sister  Electra,  and  conveyed  to  the 
house  of  Strophius  king  of  Phocis.  As  he  grew 
up  he  formed  a strict  friendship  with  Py'lades  the 
son  of  his  protector.  The  two  friends,  urged  by 


Agamemnon. — Orestes  ar.d  Pylades. 


THE  RETURN  OF  THE  GREEKS.  201 

the  messages  of  Electra  and  by  the  oracle  of 
Delphi,  proceeded  secretly  to  Mycense  and  slew 
iEgisthus  and  his  wife.  When  Orestes  had  slain 
his  mother,  he  was  assailed  by  the  Furies,  whose 
office  it  is  to  punish  guilt.  In  frenzy  he  roamed 
over  various  countries,  accompanied  by  the  faith- 
ful Pylades.  Happening  to  arrive  in  the  Taurio 
Chersonesus,  they  were  seized,  and  led  to  be  sacri- 
ficed at  the  blood-stained  altar  at  w hich  Iphigenia 
officiated ; but  having  recognised  her  brother,  she 
fled  to  Greece  with  him  and  his  friend,  carrying 
with  her  the  image  of  the  goddess.  Orestes  at 
length  went  by  the  advice  of  Apollo  to  Athens, 
and  stood  his  trial  before  the  court  of  Areopagus. 
A sentence  of  acquittal  being  pronounced,  the 
Furies  left  him ; and  he  returned  to  Mycenae  and 
occupied  the  throne  of  his  fathers.  His  sister 
Electra  became  the  wife  of  Pylades. 

Menelaiis  having  become  reconciled  to  Helen, 
embarked  his  share  of  the  booty  and  set  sail  home- 
wards in  company  with  Nestor.  They  reached  in 
safety  the  promontory  of  Sunium  in  Attica.  Here 
the  pilot  of  Menelaiis’s  ship  died,  and  he  w^as 
obliged  to  stay  and  bury  him.  Having  performed 
the  funeral  rites,  he  again  put  to  sea  ; but  as  he  wras 
doubling  cape  Malea  in  Laconia,  a violent  storm 
arose  wThich  dispersed  his  fleet ; one  part  was 


1 pi  i i ge  n i a . — El  ec  tra. — Menela  iw. 


202  THE  RETURN  OF  THE  GREEKS. 

driven  to  Crete, — five  ships,  one  of  which  was  Me 
nelaus’s  own,  were  carried  by  the  winds  to  Egypt 
Menelaiis  spent  eight  years  in  these  parts,  sail 
mg  from  place  to  place  and  collecting  wealth  Be- 
sides  Egypt,  he  visited  Cyprus  and  Phoenicia,  and 
the  countries  of  the  Erembians  and  ^Ethiopians. 
He  also  was  in  Libya,  the  land  westwards  of  Egypt 
where  the  sheep  yean  three  times  a-year,  and  the 
lambs  are  born  horned,  and  milk,  cheese,  and  flesh 
are  in  abundance,  for  king  and  shepherd  alike,  jr 
He  now  began  to  think  of  returning  home ; and 
sailing  from  Egypt,  he  reached  the  island  of  Pha- 
ros, wrhich  was  a day’s  sail  distant.  But  he  had 
neglected  offering  sacrifices  to  the  gods,  who,  to 
punish  him,  sent  an  adverse  wind,  which  detained 
them  at  this  island.  They  had  been  there  now 
twenty  days,  their  provisions  were  nearly  ex- 
hausted, and  they  were  obliged  to  pass  the  day  in 
endeavouring  to  catch  fish  for  their  support, — 
when,  as  Menelaiis  was  wandering  about  by  him- 
self, he  met  the  sea-nymph  Eidothea  the  daughter 
of  Proteus,  who  told  him  that  from  her  father 
alone  he  could  learn  what  he  was  to  do  to  obtain 
a favourable  wind.  But  as  Proteus  never  gave 
his  information  unconstrained,  she  brought  him 
fresh-stript  seal-skins,  and  directed  him  to  dis- 
guise himself  and  three  of  his  companions  in  them, 


His  travels  - -Of  Eidothea. — Proteus. 


THE  RETURN  OF  TIIE  GREEKS.  20c) 

and  lying  in  ambush,  to  seize  the  sea-god  when 
he  came  ashore,  and  holding  him  fast,  never  to  let 
him  go  till  he  had  revealed  the  means  of  escape. 

Menelaus  did  as  desired  by  the  nymph ; and  in 
the  heat  of  the  day  he  saw  the  marine  herds  rising 
up  out  of  the  sea,  and  lying  to  sleep  on  the  rocks 
and  shores.  Proteus  having  counted  them  lay 
down  also  to  repose.  As  soon  as  he  was  asleep, 
Menelaus  rushed  from  his  ambush  and  seized  him. 
The  god  changed  himself  successively  into  a lion, 
a serpent,  a pard,  a boar,  water,  and  a tree, — but 
in  vain  ; the  hero  still  held  him  fast.  Finding  he 
could  not  escape,  he  resumed  his  own  form,  and 
told  Menelaus  to  return  to  Egypt  and  offer  sacri- 
fices to  the  gods.  The  hero  obeyed  his  direc- 
tions ; and  a southerly  wind  sprang  up,  which 
carried  him  home ; and  he  arrived  in  Greece  the 
very  day  that  Orestes  was  giving  the  funeral-feast 
for  his  mother  and  iEgisthus. 

All  that  befell  the  other  Grecian  chiefs  was  as 
nothing  in  comparison  with  the  wonderful  adven- 
tures of  Ulysses,  the  prudent  son  of  Laertes,  on 
his  return  to  his  native  isle  of  Ithaca. 

On  leaving  Troy,  Ulysses  directed  his  course  to 
he  coast  of  Thrace ; and  landing  in  the  country  of 
the  Oiconhns,  he  took  and  burnt  their  town  of 

His  adventir.e  with  Menelaus. — Menelaus’s  subsequent  fur 
titne. — XJlysRt-s. —Tell  his  adventure  in  Thrace 


204  TIIE  RETURN  OF  THE  GREEKS. 

I'smarus.  But  as  the  Greeks  stayed  on  the  coast 
feasting,  they  were  attacked  by  the  Ciconians,  and 
driven  to  their  ships  with  loss.  Sailing  thence, 
they  were  assailed  by  a storm,  from  which  they 
took  refuge  on  shore.  On  the  third  day  they 
again  put  to  sea,  and  reached  the  formidable  Cape 
Malea ; when  a violent  north-east  wind  rose,  and 
drove  them  for  nine  days  along  the  sea,  till  they 
reached  the  country  of  the  Lotus-eaters  westwards 
of  Libya. 

Being  ignorant  of  the  country,  Ulysses  sent 
three  of  his  men  to  examine  it.  These,  on  meet- 
ing the  inhabitants,  were  very  kindly  treated  by 
them,  and  given  some  of  their  own  food,  the  lotus, 
to  eat.  But  the  effect  of  this  fruit  was  such,  that 
those  who  had  once  tasted  of  it  lost  all  thoughts 
of  home,  and  desired  to  remain  for  ever  in  that 
country.  Ulysses  found  it  necessary  to  drag  these 
men  away  by  main  force,  and  to  tie  them  under 
the  benches  of  his  ship. 

Leaving  the  country  of  the  Lotus-eaters,  they 
sailed  on  further,  and  came  to  that  of  the  Cyclo- 
pes. These  were  a wild  savage  race  of  gigantic 
beings,  inhabiting  a rich  fertile  country,  but  un- 
acquainted with  agriculture  and  commerce,  and 
ignorant  of  laws  and  social  institutions.  They 

In  the  country  of  the  Lolus-eaters. — In  the  country  of  the 
Cyclopes. 


THE  RETURN  OF  THE  GREEKS.  205 

had  but  one  eye,  which  was  in  the  middle  of  their 
forehead. 

In  front  of  their  land  lay  an  islet  well  wooded  and 
stocked  with  goats.  Here  Ulysses  landed ; and 
then  leaving  there  the  rest  of  his  ships,  sailed  with 
his  own  to  the  opposite  coast.  He  found  the  cave 
of  one  of  the  Cyclopes  named  Polyphemus,  a son 
of  Neptune ; and  going  into  it,  saw  that  it  was 
abundantly  supplied  with  milk  and  cheese,  the 
shepherd’s  wealth.  The  Greeks  remained  there 
awaiting  the  return  of  its  master.  In  the  evening 
they  heard  the  approach  of  the  flocks,  and  looking 
out  were  terrified  to  death  when  they  beheld  the 
huge  monster  who  was  driving  them.  It  was  now  ' 
too  late  to  think  of  escape,  and  they  therefore  en- 
deavoured to  conceal  themselves  in  the  cavern. 
Polyphemus  having  closed  the  door  with  a rock 
which  twenty-two  teams  could  not  remove,  milked 
his  sheep  and  goats,  and  then  kindled  a fire.  By 
its  light  he  discerned  the  trembling  Greeks,  and 
demanded  who  they  were.  Ulysses  coming  for- 
wards, said  that  they  were  Greeks  who  had  been 
shipwrecked,  and  implored  his  compassion  and 
hospitality.  The  answer  of  the  Cyclops  was  his 
seizing  two  of  them  and  dashing  out  their  brains. 
He  dressed  and  ate  them  for  his  supper,  and  then 


Of  Polyphemus. 
18 


206  THE  RETURN  OF  THE  GREEKS. 

went  to  sleep.  Ulysses  was  about  to  kill  him,  but 
recollecting  the  rock  which  closed  the  door  he 
refrained. 

Next  morning  the  Cyclops  drove  out  his  flocks, 
and  shut  his  captives  up  in  the  cave.  During  the 
day  Ulysses  taking  the  staff  of  the  Cyclops,  which 
was  as  large  as  the  mast  of  a ship,  cut  a piece  off 
it,  which  he  made  sharp  at  one  end,  and  then  con- 
cealed it.  When  Polyphemus  returned,  he  dressed 
two  more  of  the  Greeks  for  supper.  Ulysses  then 
came  forward  with  a skin  of  wine  which  he  had 
brought  with  him,  and  offered  it  to  the  Cyclops. 
Polyphemus,  who  was  ignorant  of  that  liquor,  was 
in  raptures  with  it ; and  to  show  his  gratitude,  be- 
nignantly  promised  that  the  donor  of  it  should  be 
the  last  whom  he  would  devour.  The  wine  soon 
took  effect,  and  overcome  by  its  fumes  he  fell  fast 
asleep. 

Ulysses  now  prepared  for  action.  He  took  the 
piece  of  the  giant’s  staff,  and  made  the  sharp  end 
of  it  red-hot  in  the  fire  ; then,  aided  by  four  of  his 
companions,  he  bored  out  with  it  the  eye  of  the 
sleeping  Cyclops.  Polyphemus  roared  aloud  with 
pain,  and  the  other  Cyclopes  came  to  inquire  what 
had  befallen  him.  He  told  them  that  Nobody 
{ Outis , the  name  Ulysses  had  given  himself)  wras 


How  Ulysses  managed  Polyphemus. 


THE  RETURN  OF  THE  GREEKS.  207 

killing  him ; and  they,  thinking  it  was  some  dis- 
ease, went  away  advising  him  to  pray  to  his 
father. 

The  next  morning  Polyphemus  opening  the 
door  turned  out  his  flocks,  and  sitting  in  the  door- 
way felt  them  with  his  hands,  that  his  prisoners 
might  not  escape.  But  Ulysses  had  tied  his  com- 
panions under  the  bellies  of  the  sheep,  and  then 
himself  grasping  the  wool  of  the  leader-ram,  held 
fast  under  his  belly.  Having  thus  escaped  from 
the  cave,  they  went  on  board  of  their  ship ; and 
Ulysses  then  calling  out  his  real  name,  the  Cy- 
clops flung  huge  rocks,  which  nearly  sunk  the 
vessel.  f3 

Quitting  the  inhospitable  country  of  the  Cy- 
clopes, Ulysses  and  his  companions  sailed  still  on- 
wards, and  came  to  the  floating  island  in  which 
dwelt  iE'olus,  to  whom  Jupiter  had  given  rule 
over  the  winds.  This  island  was  surrounded  by  a 
wall  of  brass ; and  jEolus,  his  wife,  and  his  six 
sons  and  six  daughters,  lived  in  continual  joy  and 
festivity.  He  entertained  Ulysses  for  an  entire 
month,  and  at  his  departure  gave  him  all  the 
winds,  except  the  West,  tied  up  in  a bag  made 
of  ox-hide.  The  ships  ran  merrily  before  the 
wind  for  nine  days  and  nights : on  the  tenth  they 

How  he  escaped. — What  followed  ? — His  adventure  v,  ith 
dSoliis. 


208  THE  RETURN  OF  THE  GREEKS. 

were  within  sight  of  Ithaca ; when  Ulysses,  who 
had  hitherto  held  the  helm  himself,  falling  asleep, 
his  companions,  fancying  that  iEolus  had  giver, 
him  treasure  in  the  bag,  opened  it  to  see  what  it 
contained.  Instantly  the  winds  rushed  out,  and 
swept  them  back  to  iEolia.  The  director  of  the 
winds  drove  them  with  reproaches  frorrf  his  isle, 
deeming  them  to  be  odious  to  the  gods. 

During  six  days  and  nights  they  sailed  on  still 
westwards,  till  they  came  to  the  country  of  the 
Lsestrygonians,  where  finding  a well-sheltered 
harbour,  they  brought  into  it  all  the  ships  except 
that  of  Ulysses,  who,  suspicious  of  danger  kept 
his  vessel  without.  They  sent  a herald  with  two 
others  into  the  country,  who  meeting  the  daughter 
of  the  king  Antiphates  at  a fountain,  were  by  her 
directed  to  the  abode  of  her  father.  On  entering 
it  they  beheld  to  their  dismay  the  queen,  who  was 
as  huge  as  the  top  of  a mountain.  She  instantly 
called  her  husband  from  the  market-place;  and 
he,  seizing  one  of  them,  dressed  him  for  dinner. 
The  other  two  fled,  pursued  by  the  Lsestrygonians, 
who  hurling  huge  rocks  at  the  ships,  destroyed 
them,  and  all  the  crews  perished  of  those  which 
were  in  the  harbour.  Ulysses  cutting  his  cables 
got  out  to  sea  and  escaped. 

The  wind-bag. — What  befel  the  companions  cf  UJyases  in  the 
country  of  the  Lsestrygonians  ? *. 


THE  RETURN  OF  THE  GREEKS.  209 

UJysses  and  his  surviving  companions  sailed  on 
till  they  reached  the  isle  of  iEsea.  They  remained 
two  days  in  the  harbour  where  they  had  landed, 
fearing  to  quit  the  shore.  On  the  third  day  U ys- 
ses  ventured  to  make  a short  excursion  of  dis- 
covery, and  ascending  an  eminence  he  had  a view 
over  the  whole  island.  It  was  small,  and  covered 
with  wood,  out  of  the  midst  of  which  he  saw  a 
smoke  ascending.  Returning  to  his  companions 
he  selected  twenty-two  of  them  by  lot,  whom  he 
sent,  under  the  command  of  Eury'lochus,  to  ascer- 
tain who  inhabited  the  place.  They  found  in  the 
wood  a mansion  built  of  hewn  stone,  around  which 
were  troops  of  wolves  and  lions,  which  came  and 
fawned  upon  them.  Within  the  building  they 
heard  the  voice  of  a woman  singing  at  the  loom. 
They  stood  and  called  aloud : the  mistress  of  the 
house,  who  was  Circe  the  daughter  of  the  Sun, 
instantly  threw  open  the  doors,  and  invited  them 
in : they  all  entered  but  Eurylochus ; and  Circe 
set  food  before  them,  of  which  as  soon  as  they 
had  partaken,  she  struck  them  writh  her  wand, 
and  changing  them  into  swine  drove  them  into  a 
sty. 

Eurylochus  returned  in  dismay  to  the  ship, 
and  Ulysses,  on  learning  the  fate  of  his  friends, 


What  happened  at  ^Eaea  ? 


HO  THE  RETURN  OF  THE  GREEKS. 

resolved  to  liberate  them  or  perish  in  the  attempt 
He  set  out  alone.  On  the  way  Mercury  met  him 
and  giving  him  a plant,  called  in  the  language  oi 
the  gods  Moly , which  would  preserve  him  from 
the  enchantments  of  Circe,  directed  him  how  to 
act.  The  hero  then  proceeded  to  the  abode  of 
Circe,  and  standing  at  the  door  called  aloud.  The 
goddess  came  forth,  and  invited  him  to  enter : 
she  placed  food  before  him ; and  when  he  had 
tasted  of  it,  striking  him  with  her  wand,  desired 
him  to  go  and  join  his  comrades  in  the  sty.  But 
Ulysses  declined  the  civility,  and  drawing  his 
sword  threatened  to  kill  her.  The  goddess  in 
terror  grasped  his  knees,  and  prayed  him  to  spare 
her  and  become  her  husband.  He  consented,  on 
her  taking  a solemn  oath  not  to  do  him  any  in- 
jury. At  his  desire  she  then  restored  his  com- 
panions to  their  former  state : and  the  hero  having 
brought  up  the  remainder  of  his  crew  from  the 
ship,  they  all  abode  in  the  house  of  Circe. 

At  the  end  of  a year  they  became  impatient  to 
return  home,  and  at  their  desire  Ulysses  asked 
the  consent  of  the  goddess  to  their  departure. 
She  yielded  to  his  request ; but  told  him  he  must 
previously  visit  the  domains  of  Pluto  and  Proser- 
pine, and  consult  the  spirit  of  the  Theban  prophet 

How  did  Ulysses  liberate  his  friends  ? — How  did  they  escape 
from  Circe? 


THE  RETURN  OF  THE  GREEKS.  211 

Tiresias.  The  hero  was  overwhelmed  with  dis- 
may at  the  intelligence  : but  the  goddess  re-assured 
him,  and  gave  him  ample  instructions  for  his 
conduct. 

Embarking  early  in  the  morning,  Ulysses  and 
liis  companions  sailed  with  a favouring  wind  along 
the  sea ; and  entering  the  Ocean-stream  crossed  to 
its  further  shore,  which  lay  enveloped  in  perpetual 
darkness.  Here  they  landed,  and  proceeded  to 
the  place  which  Circe  had  described ; where 
Ulysses,  digging  a hole  with  his  sword,  poured 
into  it  mead,  wine,  water  and  flour,  and  the  blood 
of  a lamb  and  a black  ewe ; and  with  his  sword 
drawn  sat  down  beside  it.  Instantly  the  dead 
came  trooping  around : but  the  hero  kept  them 
off  with  his  sword,  although  he  discerned  among 
them  his  own  mother,  whom  he  had  left  alive  in 
Ithaca.  At  length  Tiresias  drew  near,  and  hav- 
ing tasted  of  the  blood,  instructed  the  hero  re- 
specting his  return.  y- 

Tiresias  having  retired,  Ulysses  permitted  the 
other  ghosts  to  approach.  His  mother,  when  she 
tasted  the  blood,  recognised  him,  and  gave  him 
tidings  of  his  family.  In  vain  he  essayed  to  em 
brace  her, — the  spirit  eluded  his  grasp  like  a 
shadow  or  a dream.  The  shades  of  the  heroines 


Describe  his  next  adventure. 


18  THE  RETURN  OF  THE  GREEKS. 

of  former  days  now  advanced  ; and  as  each  tasted 
of  the  blood,  she  acquired  the  power  of  conversing 
with  the  living  man.  He  there  saw  Tyro  and 
Antiope,  and  Alcmena  and  Leda,  and  Phaedra  and 
Ariadne,  and  Pricris  and  Eriphy'le,  and  other  wo- 
men famous  in  times  of  old. 

The  heroes  now  came  forward.  Ulysses  saw 
and  conversed  with  Agamemnon,  and  cheered  the 
gloom  of  Achilles  by  telling  of  the  fame  of  his 
son.  The  shade  of  Ajax  stood  aloof,  and  would 
not  listen  to  the  excuses  of  his  former  rival.  Pie 
now  beheld  Minos  judging,  Orion  hunting,  Her- 
cules bending  his  bow,  Tityus,  Tantalus  and  Sisy- 
phus suffering  the  penalty  of  their  crimes.  Ter- 
ror at  last  came  over  him  ; he  hastened  away,  and 
getting  on  board  his  ship  returned  to  the  island 
of  Circe. 

Having  stayed  one  day  with  Circe,  and  re- 
ceived ample  information  from  her  respecting  his 
homeward  voyage,  Ulysses  departed,  taking  a final 
leave  of  the  goddess,  who  sent  a favouring  wind 
after  the  ship. 

The  wind  carried  them  merrily  along  till  they 
came  near  the  island  of  the  Sirens  : it  then  fell ; 
and  Ulysses,  as  directed  by  Circe,  stopped  the  ears 
of  his  companions  with  wax,  and  had  himself 

Whom  did  he  see  of  the  heroes? — What  happened  at  the  is! 
and  of  the  Sirens  ? 


THE  RETURN  OF  THE  GREEKS.  213 

bound  hand  and  foot  to  the  mast.  They  then 
rowed  the  ship  along  the  shore  of  the  isle,  on 
which  lay  whitening  the  bones  of  men : for  who 
ever  landed  there,  seduced  by  the  melodious  song 
of  the  Sirens,  never  again  saw  his  home.  The 
Sirens  when  they  heard  the  dashing  of  the  oars, 
raised  their  song  in  praise  of  Ulysses,  inviting 
him  to  land,  and  promising  him  knowledge.  The 
hero  struggled  to  get  free  ; but  his  comrades  bound 
him  still  faster,  and  he  alone  heard  the  song  of  the 
Sirens  and  escaped. 

They  now  heard  the  roaring  of  the  waves,  and 
beheld  the  smoke  ascending  from  the  Wandering 
Rocks,  which  no  ship  but  the  Argo  had  ever 
escaped.  To  avoid  these  it  was  necessary  to  pass 
between  two  cliffs ; in  one  of  which  dwelt  Scylia, 
a monster  with  twelve  feet  and  six  heads,  each  of 
which  took  a man  out  of  every  ship  that  passed. 
Beneath  the  other  was  a whirlpool,  which  three 
times  a day  absorbed  and  regorged  the  water. 
The  ship  went  through  with  the  loss  of  six  men, 
whom  Scylia  seized;  and  in  the  evening  they 
came  to  the  island  of  Thrinakia,  which  belonged 
to  the  Sun,  and  where  his  flocks  and  herds  fed, 
under  the  charge  of  his  daughters  Phaethusa 
(Gleaming)  and  Lampetia  (Shining). 


In  passing  Scylia  ? 


214  THE  RETURN  OF  THE  GREEKS. 

Ulysses  had  been  warned  both  by  Tiresias  and 
Circe  to  shun  this  island.  He  therefore  urged  his 
companions  to  row  on  and  pass  it ; but  they  in- 
sisted on  landing  for  the  night,  promising  to  put, 
to  sea  again  early  in  the  morning.  Their  chief 
was  obliged  to  content  himself  with  their  oath 
that  they  would  on  no  account  violate  the  sacred 
cattle. 

During  the  night  there  came  on  a tempest,  and 
the  wind  changed.  They  were  detained  an  entire 
month  in  the  island  : their  provisions  were  all  con- 
sumed ; and  they  lived  on  what  fish  and  birds  they 
could  catch.  One  day  when  Ulysses  had  gone 
apart  to  pray  to  the  gods  for  relief,  and  had  fallen 
asleep,  Eurylochus  proposed  to  the  rest  to  sacri- 
fice some  of  the  sacred  oxen  to  the  Gods,  and  vow 
a splendid  temple  to„  the  Sun.  Instantly  they 
slaughtered  some  of  the  best  of  them.  Lampetia 
brought  the  tidings  to  her  father,  on  whose  com- 
plaint Jupiter  promised  to  punish  the  transgres- 
sors. The  hides  meantime,  to  their  dismay, 
crept  along  the  ground,  and  the  flesh  lowed  on 
the  spits.  _ 

Six  days  they  fed  on  the  oxen  of  the  Sun.  On 
the  seventh  the  storm  ceased,  and  they  put  to  sea. 
But  scarcely  were  they  out  of  sight  of  land,  when 


What  happened  at  Thrinakia  ? — Relate  Ulysses’s  shipwreck 


THE  RETURN  OF  THE  GREEKS.  215 

Jupiter  sent  a tempest  which  destroyed  the  ship 
and  drowned  all  the  crew.  Ulysses,  fastening  to- 
gether the  mast  and  keel,  got  astride  on  them. 
A south  wind  sprung  up,  which  carried  him  along 
during  the  whole  night,  and  in  the  morning  he 
found  himself  at  Scylla  and  Charybdis.  This  last 
absorbed  his  raft ; but  he  caught  hold  of  a wild 
olive-tree,  and  held  by  it  till  his  raft  reappeared. 
He  then  mounted  upon  it,  and  was  carried  along 
for  nine  days : and  on  the  tenth  night  he  landed 
on  the  isle  of  Ogy'gia.  — — • y 

Ogygia  was  the  abode  of  the  goddess  Calypso, 
the  daughter  of  Atlas,  who  received  the  wanderer 
with  great  kindness,  but  would  never  consent  to 
his  departure.  She  wished  to  bestow  immortality 
upon  nim,  and  make  him  her  husband ; but  he 
longed  to  return  to  his  wife  Penelope,  and  passed 
all  his  days  mourning  on  the  sea-shore.  At  length 
after  seven  years,  at  the  prayer  of  Minerva,  Ju- 
piter sent  Mercury  to  command  Calypso  to  permit 
the  hero  to  depart.  The  nymph  gave  a reluctant 
consent,  and  furnished  him  with  tools  to  build  a 
light  bark  or  raft.  In  four  days  he  had  built, 
rigged,  and  launched  his  vessel.  Calypso  gave 
him  clothes  and  provisions ; and  having  taken  a 
last  leave  of  him,  sent  a favouring  gale  to  convey 


His  adventures  in  Ogvgia. 


216  THE  RETURN  OF  THE  GREERS. 

him  homewards.  On  the  eighteenth  day  he  came 
within  sight  of  Scheria,  the  island  of  the  Phsea- 
cians.  Neptune,  who  was  returning  through  the 
air  from  the  country  of  the  ^Ethiopians,  happen- 
ing to  perceive  him,  and  being  resolved  to  avenge 
on  him  the  blinding  of  his  son  Polyphemus,  raised 
a tremendous  storm.  The  raft  went  to  pieces; 
but  the  sea-goddess  Leucothea  had  during  the 
tempest  given  her  veil  to  Ulysses,  to  tie  around 
his  waist  as  a means  of  safety  ; and  after  floating 
about  for  two  days  and  nights,  he  at  last  entered 
the  mouth  of  a river  in  Scheria  and  got  to  shore. 
He  threw  the  veil  of  the  goddess,  as  desired,  into 
the  water:  and  then  making  himself  a bed  of 
leaves  in  a thicket,  he  fell  asleep. 

During  the  night  Minerva  appeared  in  a dream 
to  Nausicaa,  the  daughter  of  Alcinous  king  of 
the  island,  advising  her  to  take  her  clothes  down 
to  the  river  in  the  morning,  and  wash  them  pre- 
paratory to  her  wedding.  Her  father,  at  her  re- 
quest, gave  her  a mule-cart,  and  she  and  her  maids 
drove  to  the  spot  where  Ulysses  had  landed. 
Having  washed  their  clothes,  and  hung  them  to 
dry,  they  began  to  play  at  ball ; their  joyous  cla- 
mour awoke  the  sleeping  hero,  and  coming  forth, 
he  implored  the  protection  of  the  princess.  Nau- 


His  next  shipwreck. — Ilis  adventures  in  Scheria. 


TIIE  RETURN  OF  THE  GREEKS.  2J.7 

sicaa  gave  him  both  food  and  clothes,  and  directed 
him  to  follow  her  to  the  town.  Minerva  met  him 
on  the  way,  and  spread  a shroud  of  mist  around 
him,  that  he  might  reach  the  royal  abode  unpei- 
ceived.  (f) 

The  beauty  and  splendour  of  the  palace  and 
garden  of  Alcinoiis  fill  the  stranger  with  amaze- 
ment. He  craves  the  protection  of  the  queen 
Arete,  and  is  promised  by  Alcinous  a ship  to  con- 
vey him  home.  At  a banquet  which  is  given,  he 
relates  to  the  Phscacians  all  his  preceding  adven- 
tures. They  give  him  a great  number  of  rich  pre- 
sents, and  put  him  on  board  one  of  their  wonder- 
ful ships,  which  moved  with  the  velocity  of  the 
birds,  and  required  not  a pilot.  The  hero  takes 
leave,  and  embarks  in  the  evening.  Ere  dawn, 
the  vessel  is  at  Ithaca.  The  Phseacians  taking  out 
Ulysses,  who  is  fast  asleep,  lay  him  and  his  pro 
perty  on  the  shore,  and  depart. 

On  awaking,  the  hero  recognises  not  his  own 
island.  As  he  is  bemoaning  his  fate,  Minerva 
comes  in  the  form  of  a young  shepherd  and  in- 
forms him  where  he  is.  She  then  discovers  herself 
to  him ; and  Ulysses  having  by  her  direction  con' 
coaled  his  treasures  in  a cave,  she  touched  hin: 
with  her  wand,  and  gave  him  the  appearance  of  an 


How  did  he  get  to  Ithaca  ? — What  happened  on  his  awaking r* 


218  THE  RETURN  OF  THE  GREEKS. 

old  beggar-man.  She  then  directed  him  to  go  tc 
the  house  of  his  swine-herd  Eumseus,  and  remain 
there  till  the  arrival  of  his  son  Telemachus. 

During  the  long  absence  of  Ulysses,  his  wife 
Penelope  had  been  harassed  by  the  solicitations  oi 
the  noblest  men  of  Ithaca  and  the  adjacent  islands, 
who  sought  her  in  marriage.  In  daily  banquets 
they  consumed  all  the  substance  of  the  absent 
prince,  and  they  menaced  the  life  of  his  son.  Pe- 
nelope employed  various  artifices  to  free  herself 
from  them,  but  in  vain.  Among  other  devices, 
she  feigned  to  be  weaving  a burial  dress  for  La- 
ertes, and  declared  that  as  soon  as  it  was  finished 
she  would  make  a choice  among  them  : but  every 
night  she  undid  what  she  had  done  in  the  day. 
One  of  her  maids  betrayed  her,  and  she  was  now 
reduced  to  extremity.  Telemachus  had  at  the 
suggestion  of  Minerva,  who  accompanied  him 
under  the  form  of  a man  named  Mentor,  gone  to 
Pylos  and  Sparta,  to  try  if  Nestor  or  Menelaiis 
could  give  him  any  tidings  of  his  father ; and  the 
suitors  had  placed  a ship  to  intercept  him  on  his 
return. — Such  was  the  state  of  things  when  Ulys- 
ses arrived  in  Ithaca. 

Ulysses  on  reaching  the  dwelling  of  Eumseus 
is  attacked  by  the  dogs ; but  Eumseus  saves  and 

What  is  said  of  Penelope? — Telemachus? — Ulysses  and  Eu 
macus? 


THE  RETURN  OF  THE  GREEKS-  219 

entertains  him.  He  spends  the  remainder  of  the 
day  and  the  night  there ; and  next  morning  Tele- 
machus  arrives  from  Pylos.  Eumseus  goes  to  the 
town  to  inform  Penelope  of  the  safe  arrival  of  her 
son ; and  Ulysses  is  then  restored  to  his  former 
shape  by  Minerva  : he  discovers  himself  to  Tele- 
machus,  and  they  plan  the  death  of  the  suitors. 
Towards  evening,  when  the  return  of  Eumseus  is 
expected,  Minerva  again  gives  Ulysses  the  appear- 
ance of  a mendicant. 

The  next  day  Ulysses  accompanies  Eumseus  to 
the  town.  As  he  enters  his  own  house,  his  faith- 
ful dog  Argus  recognises  and  fawns  upon  him, 
and  then  expires.  When  the  hour  of  repast  ar- 
rives, Ulysses  goes  round  begging  food  from  his 
son  and  the  suitors,  one  of  whom,  Antinous, 
treats  him  with  great  brutality.  A public  beggar 
named  Irus  attempts  to  drive  him  away  ; but  Ulys- 
ses challenges  him  to  box ; the  suitors  force  him 
to  accept  the  challenge,  and  he  is  half  killed  by 
the  disguised  hero. 

During  the  night,  Ulysses  and  his  son  remove 
all  the  arms  from  the  hall.  Penelope  sends  for 
him,  and  he  gives  her  a fictitious  account  of  him- 
self, His  ancient  nurse  Euryclea  is  directed  to 
wash  his  feet,  and  she  discovers  him  by  the  scar 

Telemachus’s  arrival  ? — What  passed  next  day  ? — During  the 
'light  ? 


220  THE  RETURN  CF  THE  GREEKS. 

upon  his  leg  of  a wound  which  he  received  in  his 
youth  from  a boar,  when  hunting  on  Mount  Par- 
nassus ; but  he  enjoins  her  secrecy*  Penelope 
then  tells  him  that  it  is  her  design  to  propose  to 
the  suitors  a feat  of  archery,  which  Ulysses  was 
in  the  habit  of  performing ; and  he  approves  of  it. 

In  the  morning  Penelope  brings  forth  the  bow 
of  Ulysses,  and  tells  the  suitors  that  she  will 
marry  the  "one  who,  like  Ulysses,  can  drive  an 
arrow  from  it  through  twelve  iron  axes.  They 
essay  their  strength  in  vain ; no  one  can  even 
bend  the  bow.  Ulysses  goes  out,  and  reveals  him- 
self to  Eumseus  and  his  neatherd  Philoetius ; and 
directing  them  to  fasten  the  doors,  returns  to  the 
hall.  He  now  prays  to  be  allowed  to  try  to  bend 
the  bow  : the  suitors  deride  him  ; but  Telemachus 
interferes,  and  it  is  handed  to  him  by  Eumseus. 

Instantly  the  arrow  flies  through  the  axes.  He 
then  transfixes  Antinoiis,  shouting  out  who  he  is. 
Telemachus  having  neglected  to  shut  fast  one  of  the 
doors,  the  suitors  get  arms  and  fight  with  despe- 
ration against  Ulysses,  his  son,  and  his  two  herds- 
men ; but  at  length  they  are  all  slain.  He  then 
punishes  his  goatherd  Melanthius,  who  had  been 
faithless  to  him,  and  hangs  the  twelve  maid-ser- 
vants who  had  been  the  mistresses  of  the  suitors. 


The  contest  in  archcry? — The  fight? — Punishment  of  the 


THE  RETURN  OF  THE  GREEKS.  221 

At  length  he  discovers  himself  to  his  \v;fe,  and 
.he  night  passes  away  in  the  narration  of  his  ad- 
ventures. 

The  next  morning  Ulysses  goes  into  the  coun- 
try to  see  his  aged  father  Laertes.  While  he  is 
absent,  an  assembly  of  the  people  is  held ; and 
Eupithes,  the  father  of  one  of  the  slain  suitors, 
stimulates  them  to  avenge  their  death.  A part 
of  them  take  arms  and  follow  him,  Dut  Eupithes 
is  slain  by  Laertes.  Minerva,  under  the  form  of 
Mentor,  aids  the  hero.  At  length  Jupiter  thun- 
ders, and  ends  the  conflict,  and  Minerva  esta- 
blishes peace  between  Ulysses  and  his  subjects. 

\T 

CHAPTER  XV. 

THE  VOYAGE  OF  J2NEA3. 

On  the  night  that  Troy  was  taken  by  the  Greeks, 
^Eneas  the  son  of  the  goddess  Venus,  one  of  the 
bravest  of  the  Trojan  warriors,  departed  from  the 
city,  by  the  direction  of  his  divine  mother,  carry 
ing  on  his  shoulders  his  father  Anchises,  now  old 
and  blind,  and  leading  his  little  son  lulus,  or  Asca- 
uius,  by  the  hand.  Anchises  bore  the  Penates 


What  happened  after  this  ? — What  is  said  of  the  escppe  of 
tineas  from  Troy  ? 


22 2 THE  VOYAGE  OF  JENEAS. 

and  the  sacred  things  of  Vesta,  the  pledges  of  the 
safety  of  Troy.  iEneas  sought  refuge  in  the  re- 
cesses of  Mount  Ida,  where  he  remained  till  the 
Greeks  had  departed. 

The  following  summer,  having  built  a fleet,  he 
embarked  wkh  such  of  the  Trojans  as  were  willing 
to  go  in  search  of  new  settlements.  They  first 
directed  their  course  to  Thrace,  and  were  preparing 
to  build  a city,  when  as  iEneas  went  to  pluck  some 
twigs  from  a myrtle  that  was  growing  on  a mound, 
to  his  horror  blood  gushed  forth  and  a voice  came 
from  the  myrtle  which  told  him  that  it  was  Poly- 
dorus,  a son  of  Priam,  whom  Polymnestor  king 
of  Thrace,  to  whose  care  he  had  been  committed, 
had  put  to  death  for  the  sake  of  the  gold  which 
Priam  had  sent  with  him. 

Appalled  by  this  prodigy,  the  Trojans  quitted  the 
coast  of  Thrace  and  directed  their  course  to  the  isle 
of  Delos.  Here  iEneas  consulted  the  oracle  of 
Apollo,  and  the  god  directed  them  to  seek  their 
original  country.  This  Anchises  declared  to  be  the 
isle  of  Crete,  whither  they  sailed ; and  landing 
there,  they  began  to  build  a town ; but  a pestilence 
soon  broke  out  among  them,  and  while  they  were  in 
perplexity,  the  Penates  appeared  one  night  tc 
iEneas,  and  told  him  that  Hesperia,  or  Italy,  was 

What  befel  him  in  Thrace?— In  Delos?—  In  Crete?— What 
induced  him  to  seek  Italy  ? 


THE  VOYAGE  OF  J2NEAS.  22il 

he  ancient  country  which  the  god  had  meant. 
Anchises  called  to  mind  an  old  tradition  and  a 
prophecy  of  Cassandra  relating  to  that  country, 
and  it  was  resolved  to  sail  for  it  without  delay. 

Scarcely  were  the  Trojans  out  of  sight  of  land 
when  they  were  assailed  by  a storm.  After 
being  driven  about  for  three  days,  they  came  at 
last  to  the  islands  named  Strophades,  which  were 
then  the  abode  of  the  Harpies.  They  found  the 
islands  abounding  in  cattle,  some  of  which  they 
killed,  and  were  preparing  to  feast  on  them  when 
the  Harpies  came  flying  and  seized  and  defiled  all 
the  meats.  Again  they  spread  the  feast  in  another 
place,  and  again  the  foul  virgin-birds  came  on  the 
wing.  The  Trojans  drew  their  swords  on  them 
in  vain : their  feathers  were  impervious  to  steel ; 
but  they  fled,  and  Celseno,  one  of  them,  perching 
on  a lofty  rock,  foretold  that  though  they  would 
reach  Italy,  they  would  not  be  able  to  found  a city 
till  famine  should  have  forced  them  to  eat  the  very 
tables  off  which  they  fed. 

They  sailed  thence  northwards  till  they  came  to 
Epirus,  where,  landing  at  Buthrotum,  they  learned 
that  Helenus  one  of  the  sons  of  king  Priam  was 
ruling  over  that  part  of  the  country,  and  was 
married  to  Andromache  the  widow  of  his  brothei 


What  befel  him  at  the  Strophades? — At  Buthrotum ? 


224  TIIE  VOYAGE  OF  JENE A.S. 

Hector,  whom  Pyrrhus  had  given  to  him  when  he 
himself  sought  the  hand  of  the  daughter  of  Menc- 
Iaiis.  The  Trojans  naturally  met  a most  hospitable 
reception  from  the  prophetic  son  of  Priam,  and 
when  they  were  about  to  depart  he  loaded  them 
with  gifts ; and  telling  iEneas  the  part  of  Italy  he 
was  to  sail  for,  he  gave  him  ample  directions  how 
to  proceed. 

Leaving  Buthrotum,  they  sailed  across  the  Adri- 
atic to  Italy,  along  the  coast  of  which  they  di- 
rected their  course  southwards.  They  landed  at 
the  foot  of  Mount  iEtna  in  Sicily,  where  the  Cy- 
clopes dwelt,  and  here  meeting  one  of  the  com- 
panions of  Ulysses,  who  had  been  left  behind  and 
had  led  a most  wretched  life  during  more  than  two 
months  in  the  woods,  they  took  him  on  board,  and 
sailing  thence  went  round  Sicily.  They  landed 
at  Drepanum,  on  the  west  coast  of  the  island,  and 
here  Anchises  died. 

When  they  put  to  sea  again  a violent  tempest, 
sent  forth  by  ^Eolus  at  the  request  of  Juno  who 
hated  the  Trojans,  scattered  them  over  the  sea. 
Some  of  the  ships  were  lost ; the  remainder  were 
driven  to  the  coast  of  Africa  where  Dido  was  then 
building  the  city  of  Carthage.  This  princess  was 
sister  to  Pygmalion  king  of  Tyre,  who  had  secretly 

In  Sicily  ? — At  Drepanum  ? — In  Carthage  ? — What  is  said  ot 
Dido? 


THE  VOYAGE  OF  JENFAS.  225 

murdered  her  husband  Sichseus  for  his  wealth  ; but 
the  ghost  of  Sichseus  had  appeared  to  her  and  re- 
vealed the  deed  and  counselled  flight.  She  was 
joined  by  her  friends,  and  by  those  who  feared  or 
hated  the  tyrant,  and  she  founded  the  future  rival 
city  of  Rome. 

Jupiter,  at  the  request  of  Venus,  had  sent  Mer- 
cury to  predispose  Dido  and  her  subjects  in  fa- 
vour of  the  Trojans.  Their  reception  therefore 
was  kind  in  the  extreme,  and  Dido  conceived  a 
passion  for  the  Trojan  prince  which  proved  to  her 
a source  of  woe,  for  Fame  having  divulged  the 
tidings  through  Africa  they  reached  the  ears  of 
Iarbas  king  of  Mauritania,  one  of  her  rejected 
suitors.  Jupiter,  his  sire,  sent  Mercury  at  his 
prayer  once  more  to  Carthage  to  reproach  AEneas 
with  his  delay  and  to  urge  his  departure  for  Italy. 
In  obedience  to  the  god,  iEneas  secretly  prepared 
to  depart.  When  it  came  to  the  ears  of  Dido,  she 
employed  prayers  and  reproaches  in  vain  to  detain 
him,  and  when  she  found  that  he  finally  had  got- 
ten on  board  and  sailed  away  in  the  night,  she  as- 
cended a funeral  pyre  which  she  had  previously 
had  constructed,  and  slew  herself  with  a sword  he 
had  left  behind  him. 

-Eneas  returned  to  Drepanum,  and  as  it  was 


Or  his  second  visit  to  Drepanum,  what  happened  ? 


22  6 


THE  VOX AGE  OF  .ENEAS. 


now  exactly  a year  since  his  father  had  died,  he 
celebrated  in  his  honour  funeral  games,  consisting 
of  a ship-race,  a foot-race,  boxing  with  the  ccestus , 
shooting  with  the  bow,  and  a sham-fight  of  Trojan 
boys  on  horseback.  But  while  the  games  were 
going  on,  the  Trojan  women,  instigated  by  Iris,  set 
fire  to  the  ships  in  order  to  compel  the  men  to  stay 
and  settle  in  Sicily ; and,  but  for  a storm  of  rain 
sent  by  Jupiter  at  the  prayer  of  iEneas,  the  whole 
fleet  would  have  been  consumed.  In  the  night  the 
spirit  of  his  father  appeared  to  iEneas,  and  telling 
him  of  the  wars  that  awaited  him  in  Italy,  directed 
him  to  leave  with  Acestes,  a Trojan  prince  who 
reigned  in  that  part  of  the  island,  the  women,  the 
aged  and  the  useless  part  of  his  people. 

This  was  done,  and  the  remaining  ships  put  to 
sea,  and  by  the  favour  of  Neptune  the  Trojans 
arrived  in  safety  at  Cumse  in  Italy,  the  abode  of 
one  of  the  prophetic  women  named  Sibyls.  Helenus 
had  directed  iEneas  to  consult  her,  and  Anchises 
had  told  him  that  she  would  conduct  him  down  to 
the  under-world,  where  he  was  abiding  in  bliss. 
The  Sibyl,  inspired  by  Apollo,  foretold  to  the  hero 
the  wars  he  had  to  wage,  and  added  that  his  safety 
would  first  come  from  a Grecian  town.  She  di- 
rected him  to  procure  a golden  bough,  the  gift  to 

What  happened  at  Cumae  ? — Tell  the  whole  story  of  /Eneas  s 
Visit  to  the  lower  world. 


THE  VOYAGE  OF  ENEAS. 


227 


Proserpine,  in  the  neighbouring  wood.  His  mo- 
ther’s doves  lead  him  to  the  bough,  which  he 
plucks  with  ease — a sign  that  he  was  called  by 
Destiny  to  visit  the  realm  of  Pluto  alive.  The 
Sibyl  offers  the  appointed  sacrifices,  the  ground 
rocks,  the  howling  of  dogs  announces  the  presence 
of  the  goddess  of  the  night,  iEne&s  draws  his 
sword ; they  enter  the  dark  descent,  and  proceed 
in  gloom  till  they  come  to  Acheron,  over  which 
they  are  ferried  by  Charon.  The  Sibyl  throws  to 
Cerberus  a medicated  cake  prepared  for  the  pur- 
pose, and  he  falls  asleep  when  he  has  swallowed 
it.  They  enter  the  gate  and  come  to  where  Mi- 
nos sits  judging : they  pass  through  the  abode  of 
those  who  had  died  by  their  own  hand,  and  here 
iEneas  sees  Dido,  but  she  flies  from  him.  They 
next  come  to  the  abode  of  the  heroes,  and  leaving 
Tartarus,  round  which  Phlegethon  flows,  on  the 
left,  they  at  length  reach  the  blissful  plains  of  Ely- 
sium,  the  abode  of  the  peculiar  favourites  of  the 
gods.  Here,  in  a fragrant  valley,  iEneas  finds  his 
father,  who  shows  him  the  souls  which  were  to 
return  to  earth  to  animate  the  bodies  of  the  future 
great  of  Rome,  and  tells  the  deeds  they  were  to 
perform.  He  finally  dismisses  him  and  the  Sibyl 
through  the  ivory  gate  of  dreams,  and  they  return 
to  Cumce.  v 

The  Trojans  now  pursued  their  voyage  along 


228 


THE  VOYAGE  OF  /ENEAS. 


the  Italian  coast,  and  at  length  they  reached  the 
mouth  of  the  river  Tibur,  in  Latium,  the  country 
in  which  they  were  to  settle.  Here,  as  they  made 
their  first  meal  on  shore,  they  used  their  cakes  for 
trenchers,  and  when  all  the  other  food  was  consumed 
they  began  to  eat  up  them  also.  “ Ho  !”  cried  out 
lulus  in  sport,  “ we  are  eating  our  tables  too.” 
/Eneas  caught  the  words,  which  so  well  explained 
the  direful  prophecy  of  the  Harpy.  He  worshipped 
Jupiter  and  the  other  gods,  and  the  king  of  Hea- 
ven thundered  aloud  and  shook  a glittering  cloud 
in  the  sky  to  assure  them  of  his  favour. 

The  country  around  was  at  this  time  governed 
by  a prince  named  Latinus,  the  son  of  Faunus 
and  the  nymph  Marica.  He  had  only  one  child 
living,  a daughter  named  Lavinia,  who  was  sought 
in  marriage  by  all  the  neighbouring  princes.  The 
queen  Amata  was  urgent  in  behalf  of  Turnus 
prince  of  the  Rutulians,  but  prodigies  sent  by  the 
gods  deterred  the  king  from  giving  his  assent  In 
his  perplexity  he  sought  counsel  of  his  prophetic 
sire,  whose  oracle  was  the  guide  of  Italy.  He 
slew  a hundred  sheep,  and  lay  upon  them,  as  was 
the  custom,  in  the  grove  of  Albunea,  and  in  the 
gloom  of  the  night  he  heard  the  voice  of  his  sire 

To  what  country  of  Italy  did  he  sail  after  leaving  Cunue  ?— 
What  happened  on  landing? — What  is  said  of  Latin;  s ? — Lav*» 
nia  ? — Turnus  ? 


THE  VOYAGE  OF  JSNEAS.  229 

from  the  depths  of  the  wood  telling  him  that  his 
son-in-law  was  to  come  from  afar,  and  was  to  be 
no  Italian.  Fame  soon  spread  the  report,  and  all 
the  country  was  in  expectation  at  the  time  the 
Trojans  landed. 

The  envoys  whom  Eneas  sent  to  Latinus,  re- 
questing permission  to  settle  in  the  country,  were 
received  with  the  greatest  favour ; the  king  told 
them  the  response  of  the  oracle,  and  expressing 
his  belief  that  -Eneas  was  his  destined  son-in-law, 
invited  him  to  his  palace.  But  as  the  envoys  were 
joyously  returning,  mounted  on  the  horses  which 
Latinus  sent  to  Eneas,  Juno,  who  was  passing 
over  Sicily  in  her  way  from  Argos,  beheld  the 
Trojan  fleet  at  anchor  in  the  Tibur.  Filled  with 
rage,  she  summoned  the  Fury  Alecto  from  Ere- 
bus, and  charged  her  to  break  the  peace  and  stir 
up  war. 

Alecto  first  seeks  the  palace  of  Latinus,  where 
she  casts  one  of  her  snakes  into  the  bosom  of 
Amata,  and  fills  her  with  rage.  She  then  enters 
the  palace  of  Turnus  at  Ardea,  in  the  form  of  an 
old  woman,  the  priestess  of  Juno,  and  telling  him 
the  news,  flings  her  torch  into  his  bosom  and  ex- 
cites him  to  war.  Then  mounting  on  her  dusky 
wings  she  comes  to  where  lulus  and  his  com- 

Of  the  embassy  to  Latinus?— Of  Juno  ? — Afccto  — Amata?— 
fumus  ? 


20 


230  THE  VOYAGE  OF  JENEAS. 

parnons  are  hunting,  and  inspiring  the  dogs  with 
a sudden  madness,  makes  them  hunt  a pet  stag  be- 
longing to  Silvia  the  daughter  of  Tyrrheus,  chief 
herdsman  of  king  Latinus.  lulus  wounds  the  stag 
which  flies  home  and  dies  at  the  feet  of  its  mis- 
tress. Tyrrheus  with  his  sons  and  friends  attack 
the-  Trojans ; and  Alecto,  having  completed  her 
task,  returns  to  her  native  gloom. 

War  against  the  Trojans  was  now  resolved  on, 
Latinus  in  vain  opposing  it.  All  the  tribes  and 
people  south  of  the  Tibur,  as  far  as  the  Vultur- 
nus,  joined  by  allies  from  Etruria  and  the  Apen- 
nines, took  arms.  Envoys  were  even  sent  to  in- 
vite Diomedes,  who  had  settled  in  Apulia,  to  come 
and  assist  in  the  war. 

As  jEneas,  anxious  about  the  approaching  war, 
lay  asleep  one  night  on  the  banks  of  the  Tibur,  the 
god  of  the  river  appeared  to  him,  and  bade  him  not 
to  fear.  As  a sign,  he  told  him  that  he  would  find 
next  morning,  lying  beneath  the  trees  on  the  banks 
of  the  river,  a white  sow  and  thirty  white  young 
ones.  He  informed  him  that  higher  up  the  river  a 
colony  led  by  Evander  from  Arcadia  had  settled, 
whom  he  advised  him  to  visit  and  seek  to  gain 
their  alliance. 

In  the  morning  iEneas  found  the  white  sow  and 

lulus? — Tyrrheus? — Of  the  warlike  preparations? — ^Eneas’ 
vision  ? — The  white  sow  ? 


THE  VOYAGE  OF  -Ex\EA5.  231 

her  young,  which  he  sacrificed  to  Juno.  He  then 
sailed  with  two  ships  up  the  river  to  Pallenteum, 
the  city  of  Evander,  which  stood  on  one  of  the  hills 
(the  Palatine)  where  Rome  afterwards  rose.  The 
Arcadian  prince  receives  him  most  kindly,  and 
promises  to  aid  him  with  four  hundred  horsemen 
led  by  his  son  Pallas.  He  also  tells  him  that  there 
was  at  that  moment  a large  army  of  Tuscans  ^as- 
sembled, eager  to  take  vengeance  on  Mezentius 
their  tyrannical  prince,  who  had  sought  refuge  with 
Turnus ; but  that  a soothsayer  detained  them,  de- 
claring that  they  could  only  be  victorious  if  led 
by  a foreigner.  iEneas  repairs  to  the  camp  of  the 
Tuscans,  and  they  joyfully  embark  on  the  Tibur, 
deeming  themselves  now  certain  of  victory. 

Meantime  Turnus  had  made  a furious  attack  on 
he  camp  of  the  Trojans,  and  he  was  preparing  to 
Durn  the  fleet  when,  at  the  request  of  the  Mother 
of  the  Gods,  of  whose  pines'they  were  built,  Jupi- 
ter changed  them  into  nymphs.  In  the  midst  of 
the  conflict,  iEneas  and  the  Tuscans  arrive,  the 
battle  is  renewed  with  vigour,  Pallas  is  slain  by 
Turnus,  and  Mezentius  falls  by  the  hand  of  iEneas, 
who  is  clad  in  armour  forged  for  him  by  Vulcan 
at  the  request  of  his  mother  Venus. 

After  the  funeral  rites  of  the  slain  had  been  per 


Of  Evander? — The  Tuscans  ? — Of  Turnus  ? — Of  the  conflict? 


232  THE  VOYAGE  OF  .EJVEAS. 

formed  iEneas  led  his  army  against  the  Latin  ca- 
pital. A battle  is  fought  under  its  walls,  in  which 
the  female  warrror  Camilla,  who  led  a troop  of 
Volscian  horse,  is  slain,  and  the  Latins  defeated. 

Turnus  now  challenges  iEneas  to  a single  com- 
bat. The  Trojan  warrior  joyfully  accepts  his  in- 
vitation ; the  truce  is  made  by  king  Latinus  in 
person ; but  ere  the  heroes  engage,  the  Latins,  in- 
stigated by  the  goddess  Juturna,  Turnus’  sister, 
who  comes  among  them  at  Juno’s  instigation,  in 
the  form  of  a man,  break  the  truce.  ^Eneas, 
who  is  unarmed,  is  wounded,  but  he  is  miracu- 
lously cured  by  the  aid  of  his  mother,  and  then 
encountering  Turnus  in  the  fray,  slays  him  and 
ends  the  war. 

iEneas  espouses  Lavinia,  and  from  him  were 
descended  the  founders  of  Ro3ie. 


Tho  battle  before  the  city? — The  duel  ? — The  marriage?— 
What  city  was  founded  by  the  descendants  of  JSneas? 

4 1 Si  - 


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THE  LITTLE  BUILDEE;  or,  How  a Child  may  Make  a Card* 
board  Village,  without  using  any  adhesive  material.  A new 
«md  excellent  toy  book  for  children.  The  various  buildings  are  beau- 
tifully colored,  and  supplied  ready  for  cutting  p it. 


THE  LITTLE  ENGINEEK;  or,  How  a Child  may  make  a Card- 
board Eailway  Station,  with  Engine,  Tender,  Carriages,  Station. 
Bridges,  Signal  Posts,  Passengers,  Porters,  &c.  Folio.  Colored. 
By  the  Designer  of  the  “ Little  Builder.” 

%*  The  success  of  this  very  beautiful  and  interesting  toy  book  ia 
likely  to  exceed  even  that  pf  the  “ Little  Builder,”  and  the  effect 
produced,  when  carefully  put  together,  is  charming  in  the  extreme. 


rpiIE  WANDEEEES  BY  SEA  AND  LAND,  WITH  OTHEB 
JL  TALES.  By  Petek  Parley.  Illustrated  with  exquisite  de- 
signs. 1 vol.,  12mo. 

THE  WEEK’S  DELIGHT';  or,  GAMES  AND  STOEIES  FOB 
THE  PAELOE  AND  FIEESIDE.  1 neat  volume,  16mo. 
Engravings. 


TYTILLIAM  TELL.  THE  PATRIOT  OF  SWITZERLAND  ; to 
V V which  is  added;  Andreas  Hofer,  the  “ Tell  ” of  the  Tyrol 
Cloth. 


WINTER  (A)  WREATH  OF  SUMMER  FLOWERS.  By  8. 

G.  Goodrich.  Illustrated  with  splendid  colored  plates  by 
french  artists.  1 superb  volume,  Svo,  extra  cloth,  gilt  edges. 

Young  American’s  picture  gallery,  containing  ooe 

beautiful  engravings.  4to,  fancy  boards.  The  same,  ool 

»retL 

YOUNG  STUDENT  (The);  or,  RALPH  AND  VICTOR.  Bj 
Madame  Guizot.  1 volume  of  500  pages,  with  illustration* 


OUTH’S  BOOK  OF  NATURE.  New  edition.  1 yoJ  m* 
16mo,  cloth. 


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